“Human rights and protection from discrimination in the process of EU integration”

The importance of membership in the European Union as well as the promotion of human rights and freedoms in the integration process was discussed today at the round table, organised by the Ministry for Human and Minority rights, on the theme ”Human rights and protection from discrimination in  the process of EU integration.”

The first panel topic announcement was that the accession negotiations held at the Intergovernmental Conference on Accession of Montenegro to the European Union formally began In Brussels on 29 June 2012. Opening the negotiating chapters 23 - Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, and 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, Montenegro has entered a very challenging phase, which implies continuous work and effective coordination of activities in the field of the rule of law. The Ministry for Human and Minority Rights was headed by Ms. Blanka Radošević Marović, and Ministry of Justice was headed by Svetlana Rajković. 

The second panel was marked by civil sector representatives, where, in the name of the representatives of vulnerable groups spoke Ms Natasa Borović, Association of Paraplegics of Montenegro, Ms Fana Delija, Centre for Roma Initiatives, Ms Biljana Zeković, SOS telephone for women and children victims of violence – Podgorica and Mr Stevan Milivojević, LGBT Forum Progres.

The auditorium of today's meeting consisted of students of Gymnasium “Slobodan Skerović" and Building-surveying school "Marko Radevic" from Podgorica.

Montenegro takes very seriously its role in creating a tolerant environment for all people who live within its borders. Respect for human rights is an essential for the accession criteria, but primarily it is the assignment and obligation of every human being, said the Minister Numanović in his speech. Montenegro's path towards the EU is followed by the dynamics of its movement and notable number of demanding assignments that is about to fulfil, primarily in connection with the rule of law, what was discussed at the first Panel.

Ms Radošević Marović stressed the importance of human rights that belong to every person from birth until death. She was speaking about the role of institutions in the protection and advancement of human rights and mechanisms to combat discrimination.

Ms Svetlana Rajković explained to the listeners the negotiating structure and process of the negotiations, and answered to a number of discussed issues.

Introductory remarks on the second panel started with addressing of  Ms. Natasa Borović . She reflected and indicated on the Draft Law on Prohibition of Discrimination of Persons with Disabilities which is in the Parliament by the summary procedure, and in this regard pointed out that this Law needs more time for analysing proposed solutions which, in the opinion of the civil sector, did not sufficiently cover all the fields within the rights of persons with disabilities.

As a representative of SOS telephone for women and children victims of violence, Ms. Biljana Zeković spoke about the problems discriminated women deals with, as well as the importance of gender equality in our society.

As a representative of LGBT Forum Progres, Stevan Milivojević emphasised that the members of LGBT population are exposed to a significant risk of becoming hate crime or hate-motivated incidents victims. He pointed out that it is necessary to work on education and public awareness in order to respect the diversity and to create tolerant environment.

Fana Delija in her speech pointed up the problem of forced child marriages and discrimination against Roma and Egyptians who suffer a double discrimination. She underscored that evident progress has been achieved in the Montenegrin society regarding these communities, but that the integration of this population is still far from the concept of inclusion.

The conclusion of the meeting was that the accession negotiations stands for mechanism that will prepare us for the European Union rules. In the next two years, we will continue with the reforms aimed at further political and democratic stability, in order to promote economic growth and development in improving the living standard of our citizens.

Ministry for Human and Minority Rights