Montenegrin institutions and NGOs upgrade cooperation in promoting human rights in closed institutions

Podgorica, Montenegro (25 October 2011) – Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković signed today with the representatives of the Institute for Execution of Criminal Sanctions and the NGO “Action for Human Rights” the cooperation agreement for the project entitled “Monitoring respect for human rights in closed institutions in Montenegro.”

The project is aimed at monitoring and promoting human rights, primarily the right to freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in prisons and other closed institutions in Montenegro.

The project is managed by the NGO “Action for Human Rights”, in collaboration with the Centre for Anti-Discrimination EQUISTA, Centre for Civic Education, Women’s Safe House, Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and the Latvian Centre for Human Rights.

The Agreement provides for trained observers’ visits to prisons in Podgorica and Bijelo Polje, discussing NGO’s recommendations with the representatives of the Institute for Execution of Criminal Sanctions and Justice Ministry, analysis of abuse applications processing, designing booklets on detained and imprisoned persons’ rights, issuing a publication with the translations of the European Court of Human Rights’ verdicts and the campaign to raise awareness about the rights of persons residing in prisons and other closed institutions.

The project is funded by the European Union and the German Embassy in Podgorica.