The Supreme Court plays a key role in the application of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and convention standards in Montenegrin courts.
This was announced at a meeting between the President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro, Valentina Pavličić, and the President, Vice-President and Deputy Registrar of the ECHR, Marko Bošnjak, Ivana Jelić and Abel Kampus.
At the meeting, as announced by the Supreme Court, it was concluded that it is important to apply the case law of the ECHR in the practice of the Supreme Court on a daily basis, but also to ensure high-quality application of convention standards by all courts at the national level.
It is stated that Pavličić informed the ECHR delegation about the concrete measures and comprehensive plans she has undertaken since the beginning of her mandate, emphasizing that there are already results in the field of resolving old and backlogged cases.
The Supreme Court said that she also presented a vision for the development of the Montenegrin judiciary during her five-year mandate, with particular attention to resolving cases of organized crime and high-level corruption, with the aim of restoring trust in the work of the judiciary.
Pavličić, as they stated, also addressed the specifics of the relationship between the Supreme and Constitutional Courts, and in this regard, the importance of the effectiveness of constitutional appeals in the national legal system, and the need for continuous dialogue.
"In addition, she emphasized the necessity for adequate improvement of material conditions for performing judicial functions in Montenegro, which she clearly indicated by addressing the executive branch, expecting, as she emphasized, a quick and adequate response," the statement said.
Bošnjak congratulated Pavličić on his election and said that it is particularly important that the president of the highest court in the country be a renowned lawyer, who has extensive experience and knowledge in the field of respect and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into account his previous engagement in the capacity of the Representative of Montenegro before the Court in Strasbourg.
He emphasized that it is necessary to apply the practice of the ECHR in the practice of the Supreme Court on a daily basis, but also to ensure quality application of convention standards by all courts at the national level, in which the Supreme Court, as the highest court in Montenegro, plays a key role.
Bošnjak emphasized that there is a need for guarantees of judicial independence, bearing in mind that adequate remuneration for work is directly related to ensuring protection from corruption, the need for judges to perform their duties unhindered by their daily life needs, so that they can fully devote themselves to performing their essential function, i.e. working on cases.
"It was concluded that this is the only way to show how society values its judiciary, because it guarantees the rule of law, democracy and the protection of human rights," the statement said.
It is stated that the interlocutors agreed that cooperation between the ECHR and the Supreme Court will continue within the framework of a partnership, which is based on mutual respect and full commitment to the process of executing ECHR judgments.
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