DPM Pažin: In protection of children's rights, we strive for highest standards of developed world

Podgorica, Montenegro (23 May 2018) -- When it comes to guaranteeing children's rights and protecting children from all forms of violence, Montenegro is not satisfied with what has been achieved, but it strives for the highest standards of the developed world, Deputy Prime Minister for Political System, Interior and Foreign Policy Zoran Pažin said today at a meeting with UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Afshan Khan.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Khan for the long-standing cooperation and support provided by UNICEF to Montenegrin institutions in order to build a safe and stimulating environment for the growth and development of children in Montenegro.

In particular, he highlighted significant expert assistance provided by UNICEF experts when amending the Family Law, whereby additional prohibitions on violations of children's rights were introduced, and a system of protection of the dignity, emotional and psychological integrity of children in court proceedings was significantly improved.

"In order to protect children as much as possible, in often very traumatic procedures from family and legal relations, with the support of UNICEF, experts have been trained to support such procedures, as well as a number of lawyers who have acquired special expertise necessary for the adequate legal representation of children," DPM Pažin reiterated.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed to the importance of further active cooperation with UNICEF on the constant strengthening of legal and institutional guarantees of children's rights, but also on raising public awareness of the need to promote children's rights and protect children from all forms of violence and discrimination.

Mrs. Khan welcomed the remarkable result that Montenegro, as a country with a small public administration, has achieved in integrating high international norms into domestic legislation, stressing that Montenegro has affirmed itself as a model for other countries by this approach to protection of children's rights.

In this respect, the two officials agreed to cooperate in documenting good practices of Montenegro which UNICEF will use in its work in other countries, as an example of successful engagement of the state in the development of an incentive environment for full affirmation and protection of children's rights.  

Mrs. Khan also expressed the willingness of UNICEF to help further capacity building for the consistent realisation of children's rights to the highest UN standards, through the continuation of long-term productive cooperation with the Government of Montenegro.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER