Constituent Meeting of Anti-Discrimination Council held in Podgorica, Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro (13 March 2012) – Prime Minister Igor Lukšić chaired yesterday in Podgorica the Constitutive Meeting of the Anti-Discrimination Council of Montenegro. The Council aims, among other things, to enhance Government’s cooperation with the civil society towards the full development of anti-discriminatory practices and building the society where all human rights are protected.

The Council voiced today its commitment to anti-discrimination by issuing an apology to all citizens that have in the past suffered from any form of discrimination, at the same time sending a message that “Montenegro is determined to build up a society in which all human rights are respected.”

The Council defined its main purpose to ensure, through cooperation with the civil society organisations and direct involvement of the members of marginalised groups who often suffer from discrimination, the steady development of anti-discriminatory practices and the establishment of a society that cherishes human rights.

The Meeting also adopted the joint statement that condemns in the strictest terms the attack on Vijesti journalist Olivera Lakić.

The Council noted that they view the media as an important ally to the state institutions, courts of law and prosecutors, Ombudsman office and other independent bodies, NGOs, and citizens in exercising to the full extent the right to true, objective, and timely information on all matters of interest, and also for creating a safe living and working environment.

The Anti-Discrimination Council, bearing in mind the spirit of the European Convention on Human Rights, noted its awareness that the freedom of speech is fundamental for a democratic society and that the free media have a key role in a society ruled by law. The Council underlined that it expects timely discovery and legal action against the person(s) behind the attack on Ms Lakić and added it takes the attack very seriously and view it as a warning that the readiness of Montenegrin institutions can no longer be brought into question.

Jeopardising the security of journalists and their families poses a serious threat to the values on which Montenegro rests, and the Council therefore gives full support to every journalist in Montenegro for their work, and expects the competent state institutions to undertake efficient action.

The Council members are top-level Government officials, NGO and trade union representatives: Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Duško Marković, ministers of health Miodrag Radunović, education Slavoljub Stijepović, labour and social welfare Suad Numanović, PM’s adviser on human rights and anti-discrimination Jovan Kojičić, NGO representatives: Milan Šaranović of Ekvista, Daliborka Uljarević of Centre for Civic Education, Biljana Alković of the Roma Education Fund Scholarships, and Slavica Jauković of the Union of Trade Unions of Montenegro.