Bjeković: The division of Montenegrin society is slowing down progress in the development of human rights and freedoms

The division of Montenegrin society slows down progress in the development of human rights and freedoms, therefore strengthening social cohesion remains one of the key challenges that should be among the priorities of all decision-makers, said Ombudsman Siniša Bjeković.

Yesterday, he met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who was on an official visit to Montenegro.

Bjeković expressed gratitude for the continued support of the UN system since the establishment of the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, which is reflected in project cooperation that resulted in the development of thematic reports and other materials, the organization of meetings, the implementation of campaigns and other forms of promotion and improvement of human rights throughout Montenegro.

"The meeting discussed the current process of amending the Law on the Protector, which should strengthen the independence of the institution in accordance with the Paris Principles, which will create the conditions for obtaining 'A' status in accreditation before the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions," the Protector's institution announced.

Bjeković recalled that all officials have pledged to support this process in the last two years, stating that the current status does not follow the Constitutional position and the role given by legislation.

He informed the High Commissioner that in 2024, the largest number of individual complaints was received since the institution was founded, but also a large number of urgent requests were sent to public administration and local self-government bodies and other holders of public authority.

"There is still room for improving the promptness of public authorities' actions in relation to the institution of the Protector, especially in relation to fulfilling the mandate," said Bjeković.

In this regard, he announced that certain entities did not submit the requested statement or were late in submitting the statement, so the Protector was forced to issue 462 urgent requests in 557 cases last year in order to submit the requested statements.

Turk and Bjeković agreed that the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights should not be allowed, but that respect for international standards in this area should be at the center of all processes, the statement said.

"The topics of discussion included the presence of hate speech and offensive speech, along with radicalization and extremism in expressing opinions in public discourse, the problem of peer violence, but also the position of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, Roma and Egyptians, and the LGBTIQ+ population. The Protector also pointed to some of the most common complaints in certain areas, including the long duration of restitution proceedings, the application of human rights standards in the healthcare system, trials within a reasonable time, and the fight against torture and other inhumane procedures," it added.

He presented the successful concept of the Independent Monitoring Mechanism for Monitoring the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was established under the auspices of the UN, and announced new projects that will soon be implemented in relation to the fight against hate speech and strengthening social cohesion.

"High Commissioner Turk said at a press conference after meetings with Montenegrin officials, among other things, that Montenegro has solid legislation for the protection of human rights, and that the country's national human rights institution, the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, enjoys wide respect among citizens and authorities," the statement reads.