Toronto: Advisor to Prime Minister Jovan Kojičić presents Government’s key activities towards improving LGBT rights

Toronto, Canada (27 June 2014) – Advisor to Prime Minister for Human Rights and Protection from Discrimination Jovan Kojičić delivered a speech at the international conference tiltled “Toronto Police Service 2014 LGBT Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice.”

In his address, Advisor Kojičić underlined importance of the normative framework in the field of human rights and anti-discrimination policy, particularly referring to improved legal solutions related to the Law against Discrimination, the Law on Ombudsman, the  Criminal code and the Law on Health Insurance. He presented the Government’s key activities in that area and results of the relevant ministries and the Anti-Discrimination Council, particularly the adoption of the Strategy for Improving Quality o Llife of LGBT Persons 2013-2018 and other measures aimed at improving status, safety and rights of LGBT population in the Montenegrin society.

Advisor Kojičić spoke about the extent of cooperation and a wide range of activities the Government of Montenegro is undertaking at national and international levels, including the contribution and quality the government-led initiatives in the region. As an example, he emphasised the leading role of the Montenegrin institutions in the project "Implementation of EU Anti-Discrimination Standards in Montenegro and other Countries of the Region", funded by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented in cooperation with the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ).

He also referred to the project of strengthening capacities of law enforcement services led by the LGBT community, which was funded by the Government of the Netherlands, with generous support of the Montenegrin Police Authority and police services of the cites of Amsterdam and Toronto, in cooperation with the expert team of the Canadian RHVP program. All these programs were recognised by the international community as examples of good practice which can set an example to other countries.

Montenegro has made significant progress when it comes to the respect for human rights and it holds a leadership position in the Western Balkan, Advisor Kojičić emphasised, adding that this sensitive issue requires sustainable partnership with international institutions, universities and governments of the most developed democracies.