Montenegro becomes member of two organistations dealing with protection of LGBTI rights

Montevideo, Uruguay (19 July 2016) – At the Global Conference on LGBT Human Rights titled “No Violence, No Discrimination and Social Inclusion,“ which was held on 12 -15 July 2016 in Montevideo, Montenegro was admitted to the Global Fund for Equality, which operates under the auspices of the US Department of State to promote rights of LGBTI persons. Montenegro was also admitted to the International Coalition of States for Equal Rights, consisted of 29 countries including USA, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Advisor to Prime Minister for Human Rights and Protection from Discrimination Jovan Kojičić, who represented Montenegro at the conference, said that the admission of Montenegro to the prestigious global initiatives is another evidence that Montenegro is recognised as a leader in promoting LGBTI rights in the Western Balkans and that the progress made by the Montenegrin Government in protecting rights of LGBTI community was acknowledged by the participants of the conference as an example of best practices at a global scale.

The conference, sponsored by the governments of Uruguay and the Netherlands, was opened by foreign ministers Rodolfo Nin Novoa and Bert Koenders. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Video addressed the participants through a video message.

At the conference, which was attended by more than 200 government officials and activists of international organisations for the protection of rights of LGBTI persons, Advisor Kojičić presented the Platform for the Promotion of Diversity and LGBTI Inclusion in the Western Balkans, as a OutLeadership initiative led by the Government of Montenegro, as well as the LGBTI Package that brings together a wide range of educational and training programmes available to governments, NGOs and other social stakeholders in order to further advance human rights of LGBTI persons at national, regional and international levels.

The Montevideo conference exchanged information, best practices and experience in the promotion and protection of equal rights for LGBTI people in the world, both at bilateral and multilateral level. The intention is to ensure better coordination of financial and political support of governments and multilateral organisations aimed at promoting human rights and inclusive development of LGBTI persons.