A/HRC/23/12
20.
Particular attention has been provided to social inclusion of the Roma and Egyptian
population in Montenegrin society. In April last year, the Government of Montenegro
adopted the new strategic document for improvement of the situation of Roma and
Egyptians in Montenegro for the period 2012-2016.
21.
One of the major challenges faced by Montenegro is a durable solution to the
situation of refugees and internally displaced persons from the former Yugoslavia. This
issue is being resolved by the development of a legal framework, strengthening of
institutions and through a regional approach (the Sarajevo process) that will include
cooperation with the countries of origin of the displaced persons. Aware of the complexity
of the issue, in October 2011, the Government of Montenegro set up the Coordinating
Committee for monitoring implementation of the Strategy for a durable solution to the issue
of displaced and internally displaced persons, with special emphasis on the Roma living in
the Konik camp.
22.
Out of the total number (around 16,000) of displaced persons (DPs) and internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in Montenegro, 9,500 people submitted applications for status
resolution by the end of 2012, of which 5,639 applications, or 60 per cent, have been
resolved. Montenegro’s national housing programme envisages securing the funds to
resolve the housing issue for 6,063 people. The time frame for implementation is 2016.
23.
Montenegro has been implementing activities to efficiently combat human
trafficking. The Government adopted the Strategy for the fight against trafficking for the
period 2012-2018 and an accompanying action plan. The documents place emphasis on six
main areas: prevention and education; victim assistance; protection and reintegration;
coordination and partnership; international cooperation and identification of trafficking
victims.
24.
Family protection is a key priority; the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence
was adopted in 2010 and a strategy was adopted in 2012. The law sets out five measures for
the protection of victims of domestic violence, and the principle of urgency is envisaged for
cases concerning protection from violence. The obligation to report violence has been
introduced for the State authorities, other authorities, health, educational and other
institutions. The Criminal Code incriminates criminal offences relating to marriage and
family, including domestic violence and neglect and abuse of a juvenile.
25.
The Law on Free Legal Aid was adopted in 2011 and provision of free legal aid
services was launched in 15 basic courts.
26.
Montenegro completed the anti-corruption legislative and institutional framework.
The strategic anti-corruption documents are being successfully implemented and a new
two-year action plan for the fight against corruption and organized crime is being drafted.
The report is in the final stage of harmonization with UNODC. In December 2012, the
Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) noted that all five of the
recommendations concerning incrimination that it had issued to Montenegro had been met.
27.
One area deserving particular attention in the context of human rights observance
relates to the protection of rights of persons deprived of their liberty. The amended Law on
Criminal Sanctions Enforcement of June 2011 established the Parole Section, a separate
unit of the Ministry of Justice’s Criminal Sanction Enforcement Department. The growing
trend towards alternative sanctioning and reducing the number of imprisonment sentences
pronounced will lead to reduced numbers of people in custody.
28.
An essential element of human rights and freedoms that is provided particular
protection in Montenegro is the freedom of thought and expression, the right to information
and freedom of the media.
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