UN Human Rights Council in Geneva adopts final report on human rights in Montenegro

Geneva, Switzerland (7 June 2013) – Montenegro’s delegation, headed by Minister for Human and Minority Rights Suad Numanović, took part in the UN Human Rights Council’s meeting in Geneva on occasion of final discussion on human rights in Montenegro, within the second cycle of the UN Universal Periodical Review (URP). Minister Numanović reiterated Montenegro’s Government commitment to advancing and protecting human rights, especially of the vulnerable groups such as women, children, person with disabilities, Roma population, LGBT persons.

Algeria, Cuba, Estonia, Morocco, Moldavia, Romania, Slovakia, the USA and Vietnam participated in the discussion and welcomed Montenegro’s efforts and active participation during the URP process and stressed the Government’s openness to prepare, in cooperation with relevant stakeholders, a report on human rights. They particularly emphasised that Montenegro has accepted 121 out of 124 recommendations, thus confirming its dedication to the promotion and protection of human rights. Montenegro was also commended for the efforts being made in combating all forms of discrimination, for its judiciary reform, fight against human trafficking and violence against women and children, protection of LGBT rights, prevention of torture and its progress in addressing the issue of refugees and displaced persons. 

Plenary meeting was also attended by the Council of Europe, NGO COC Netherlands, Save the Children and Amnesty International, which pointed out the necessary steps that should be taken, in particular related to the status of LGBT persons, rights of the child, legal status of refugees and displaced persons, war criminals and the need to prosecute those cases in line with the international humanitarian law. Montenegro will, as before, pay full attention to the issue of war crimes, as a  vital requirement for the post-conflict reconciliation process.

The final report on Montenegro, which was adopted today, contains documents prepared during the URP process and will serve as a basis for further evaluation of its progress in fulfilling obligations in promoting and safeguarding human rights. In cooperation with the civil society, Montenegro is to prepare a plan for the implementation of the recommendations, with the intention of more active involvement of the Parliament in the process.