A/HRC/23/12 29. The Criminal Code amendments of June 2011 decriminalized insult and defamation; just satisfaction in such cases is now sought in civil proceedings only. The Supreme Court set the guidelines for all courts, aligned with the case law of the European Court for Human Rights, and limits the amount of compensation for non-pecuniary damages in insult and defamation cases. 30. The 2010 Electronic Media Law is fully harmonized with the Directive on audiovisual media services. The Agency for Electronic Media was set up under this law as an independent media regulator with full political, financial and institutional independence. 31. The Ministry of Culture proposed amendments to the Electronic Media Law in the first quarter of 2013 with the aim of releasing the Agency from the obligation to provide financial and operational reports to the Parliament. 32. Three self-regulatory bodies have been set up to reinforce the principles of selfregulation, freedom and independence of the media. 33. Montenegro acceded to the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents; as of 1 February 2013, the new Free Access to Information Law will be applied with a set of new provisions in place. 34. Religious matters and rights of religious communities in Montenegro are clearly covered in the Constitution which guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The State guarantees equality among the religious communities; Montenegro has signed contracts with the Holy See, as well as with Islamic and Jewish communities. 35. The most valuable practice in Montenegro is the involvement of civil society in all activities advancing respect for human rights and EU membership talks. 36. With particular respect for the importance of preserving a healthy environment, the National Sustainable Development Strategy provides long-term guidance for economic and social development and environmental protection. Montenegro set up the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an independent authority, in 2009. In cooperation with OSCE, on 15 April 2011, an Aarhus Centre was set up within the EPA to assist in the application of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decisionmaking and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention). 37. The delegation thanked all the countries that contributed through their recommendations to further the development of human rights protection mechanisms in Montenegro. 38. Montenegro is fully cooperating with all mechanisms for human rights protection, in particular with special procedures. The error in the OHCHR compilation was pointed out and has been corrected. B. Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review 39. During the interactive dialogue, 54 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report. 40. Chile drew attention to the significant progress made regarding legislation to protect and promote all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It noted the ratification of seven international conventions and the attendant action plans and strategies for their implementation. Progress achieved in the areas of gender equality and the fight against discrimination was highlighted. Chile made recommendations. 41. China commended the accession of Montenegro to various human rights instruments. Montenegro is committed to promoting gender equality and protecting the 6

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