Montenegro regional leader in fight against discrimination

Strasbourg, France (27 March 2012) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Human Rights Duško Marković participated in the Council of Europe's conference on experieces and progress in combating discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity in Strasbourg earlier today.

The conference is organised under the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland's presidency of the Council's Committee of Ministers.

In her opening address, UK Minister for Equalities Lynne Featherstone identified Montenegro as a leader in the region in the fight against discrimination and voiced full support to Montenegro’s endeavours in that regard, such is the last week's conference entitled “Together against Discrimination”, which was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister.

She also thanked DPM Marković on his commitment to upgrade human rights and protect LGBT persons from discrimination in Montenegro. 

Participating in the panel discussion on Council’s recommendation to combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, DPM Marković reiterated Montenegro's willingness to eliminate all forms of discrimination, whether direct or indirect, and to create policies in line with the principles set out in the Recommendation. He added that his attendance of the conference confirms Montenegro Government's direct support for this issue.

Responding to participants' questions, DPM Marković underlined that Montenegro is a society in which differences are acceptible and desirable. The informed the participants about the various LGBT campaigns in Montenegro and the significant contribution of Jovan Kojičić, Adviser for Human Rights to the Prime Minister, in promoting anti-discrimination policy and advancing LGBT rights in the society.

DPM Marković concluded by saying that the Government's role as a supporter of the process is of paramount importance for attaining concrete results.