Montenegro still lacks an effective institutional response to police torture, said the Civic Alliance (GA), adding that the competent authorities must show determination in implementing the law, prosecuting those responsible and finally ending the culture of impunity.
On the occasion of the International Day Against Police Brutality, GA Program Director Milan Radović said that this year, the day draws attention to the importance of protecting human rights and the urgent responsibility of institutions to effectively prevent and sanction abuses, instead of silently tolerating them.
"However, despite this obligation, Montenegro still lacks an effective institutional response to police torture, which allows such cases to recur," Radović said.
He added that impunity undermines citizens' trust in the institutions of the system and threatens the very foundations of the rule of law.
According to Radović, although the need for better coordination between the police, prosecutor's office, and judiciary has been recognized, practice shows that such cooperation is either absent or insufficiently effective.
"As a result, cases of police abuse often do not progress beyond the level of disciplinary measures, while court proceedings, even when initiated, last for years without concrete results," Radović added.
He said that the fact that institutions react selectively is particularly worrying - while citizens are quickly prosecuted and punished, the responsibility of police officers is rarely clearly established.
"By not sanctioning the abuse of those who are supposed to protect citizens, the system is sending a message that violence within police structures is acceptable and unpunished," Radović believes.
In addition to the lack of sanctions, he added, what is additionally worrying is the way in which professional responsibility in security structures remains neglected.
"We continue to witness that police officers convicted of abuse not only do not suffer the consequences, but are promoted in the service and appointed to high positions," said Radović.
He believes that such a practice further reinforces the culture of impunity and sends the message that even the most serious offenses in service are not an obstacle to career advancement.
Radović said that the length of court proceedings and the inefficiency of penal policy is another key problem in the fight against police torture in Montenegro.
"Although certain cases of police abuse have reached court, judicial processes take years, exhausting victims and rendering justice meaningless," said Radović.
He added that verdicts are expected next week in cases related to allegations of police violence during investigations.
This, he said, will be an important test for the judicial system and its ability to respond to such cases.
"However, despite numerous challenges in the fight against police torture, certain steps towards improving the institutional response have been taken," Radović pointed out.
He stated that last year the Supreme State Prosecutor submitted binding instructions to all prosecutors' offices for handling cases of torture.
Radović said that these instructions, among other things, mandate the recording of interrogations of suspects and the obligation of doctors to document and photograph injuries, thereby strengthening the transparency and efficiency of investigations.
"These measures represent a step forward in processing torture cases, but their real effectiveness depends on consistent application and the determination of institutions to implement them without exceptions," said Radović.
He added that another significant step towards strengthening the protection of torture victims was made at the end of last year with amendments to the Law on Free Legal Aid, which finally gave victims the right to free legal support.
"However, it is important to emphasize that, while this right was not available to victims, police officers, according to the Law on Internal Affairs, were provided with free legal aid in procedures related to the use of means of coercion," said Radović.
These changes, he said, have finally established a balance and enabled torture victims to receive equal support in legal processes.
"The issue of protection from torture and efficient prosecution of police abuse is also important for Montenegro's European integration, given that the European Union continuously warns about the problem of impunity in security structures," said Radović.
In this context, he added, the announced visit of the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture this year represents an important opportunity to assess progress and provide additional impetus for reforms.
Radović said that the fight against police torture must be translated into concrete measures that will ensure the accountability of institutions and the protection of citizens.
"The competent authorities must show determination in implementing the law, prosecuting those responsible, and finally ending the culture of impunity," Radović concluded.
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