Abazović participates in open debate on Law on State Prosecutor's Office: No individual can be above the state and its national interests

The Government of Montenegro organised today the first in a series of debates on the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office.

Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović delivered an introductory speech, noting that this is the beginning of a process that will continue during this and the coming weeks. DPM Abazović emphasised that this Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecutor's Office is a link between the previous proposals of the Parliament of Montenegro and the needs of the Government of Montenegro, which are especially related to the integration process and Chapters 23 and 24. DPM Abazović said that the amendments to the Law are not directed against anyone, adding that Montenegro needs a greater rule of law and that no individual can be above the state and its national interests.

Deputy Prime Minister Abazović emphasised that after the Venice Commission submitted its opinion, the Law on the Prosecutor's Office for Organised Crime was withdrawn and that it was the biggest step forward that was agreed with the parliamentary majority. DPM Abazović stressed that this Draft changes the criteria for election to the Prosecutorial Council, and that the Venice Commission had nothing against such a reorganisation.

DPM Abazović stated that the adoption of this Draft Amendments to the Law is the key to the fight against organised crime and high-level corruption, and that Montenegro cannot be further developed without these changes. Following the Deputy Prime Minister's introductory speech, Acting Supreme State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković delivered the speech.

Zoran Vujičić from the NGO Civic Alliance, Montenegro's representative before the European Court of Human Rights Valentina Pavličić, Boris Marić from the NGO Centre for Civil Liberties, President of the Managing Board of Institute Alternative Stevo Muk, Director of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights Milena Bešić and lawyer Mitar Šušić also took part in the debate.