Advisor to Prime Minister Jovan Kojičić presents Montenegrin Government's efforts on LGBT rights in London

London, the United Kingdom (21 November 2013) -- During his visit to London, Advisor to Montenegro’s Prime Minister for Human Rights and Protection against Discrimination Jovan Kojičić met yesterday with representatives of the UK ministries of foreign affairs, defence, justice, and the Government Equalities Office.

Advisor Kojičić informed Chloe Adams of the Foreign Office's European Directorate about the Montenegrin Government’s efforts towards promoting and protecting rights and freedoms of LGBT people and presented the Strategy for Improving Quality of Lives of LGBT Persons in Montenegro for the period 2013-2018. Mrs Adams praised Montenegro’s efforts in promoting LGBT rights, noting it can serve as an excellent example to the region and pledged continued support and partnership of the British Government in all the projects related to this area.

The meeting in the UK Ministry of Defence addressed issue of LGBT people within police and military structures. Advisor Kojičić informed his hosts about the cooperation Montenegro’s Government established with police forces of Los Angeles, Toronto and the Netherlands, adding that such cooperation resulted in a number of training programmes with representatives of LGBT community from military structures as guest lecturers. The officials agreed on the continuation of exchange of information and experiences in order to better implementation of the adopted strategy.

Susan Green from the UK Government Equalities Office informed Advisor Kojičić about the implementation of the Civil Partnership Act, which came into force in 2004, and activities towards adopting the law on same-sex marriages, which is expected to take effect by the summer of 2014. The law allows same-sex couples to enter into a civil marriage and to get married in a church or other religious building, also enabling those who have previously entered into a "civil partnership" , which includes same rights and responsibilities as marriage, to turn their relationship into a marriage.

The meeting between Mr Kojičić and representatives of the UK Justice Ministry discussed issues of hate crimes and the role of police officers in dealing with these cimes committed against LGBT people. It was agreed this issue is particularly sensitive as it is essential for establishing a trust relationship between police officers and victims. The meeting underscored that cooperation with NGOs concerned with hate crimes is of particular significance for police officers.

Advisor Kojičić reiterated the Montenegrin Government's message that no one should live in fear, adding it will continue activities aimed at increasing visibility of LGBT people in the Montenegrin society.