Meeting: Zenka-Dieng: Montenegro is recognized in the Western Ballkans as a country where human rights issue is high on its political agenda

Minister for Human and Minority Rights Mehmed Zenka has spoken earlier today with the UN Under Secretary and the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng. Zenka emphasised that Montenegro is recognized in the Western Ballkans as a country where the Human Rights issues stand high on its political agenda and in that direction our country has achieved visible results.

He has also stressed that the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, in order to prevent potential threats, intolerance, discrimination and disrespect towards differences, continuously conducts trainings that are specifically designed for bodies and institutions who are in charge of preserving the values that the Constitution guarantees and other legal domestic and international regulations.

Minister Zenka said that thanks to the good practices of the multireligious and multinational harmony that exists in Montenengro for centuries, interethnic and interreligious dialogue, understanding and sincere respect are basic to fight against every form of extremism.

Adama Dieng pointed out at the meeting that Montenegro has a leading role in the Balkans for the promotion of peace and security, since it is the only country that has preserved the interreligious harmony and tolerance, despite its heterogeneity, and the war, as it is the case in some neighboring countries.

“Montenegro has received many recommendations about strengthening the human rights. The results so far are commendable in the legislative and institutional framework. The General Report on on human rights, the Universal Periodic Review proved to be very positive, therefore Montenegro received further positive recommendations, also has the leading position in the region when it comes to the human rights corpus. Our Office will offer you strong support in building the rule of law.”

He explained that even though it is not the largest country in the region, Montenegro is big when it comes to respect and tolerance, because the size of a country is not important but the people and their actions is.

“ Although there is no extremism and radicalism in Montenegro, we are aware that this phenomenon is increasing in some European countries, therefore we all have to be careful and take preventive measures against these phenomena,” said Dieng.

In the end Zenka stated that Montenegro would continue to improve the policy of human rights and tolerance,to  affirm global dialogue and promote the strength that joint cooperation has in the fight against all forms of discrimination and human rights violations, including the phenomenon of extremism and radicalism,  which are a big threat to the whole democratic world.

The Minister praised the cooperation in the organization of a workshop that started today in Podgoric, and which is about  building capacities and skills in the prevention of extremism and radicalism.

Interlocutors agreed that the topic of the workshop covers  a very important area and that is very important to learn from each other.

Ministry for Human and Minority Rights