The Action “Enhancing the human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Montenegro” in its third phase will build upon results of the two preceding Actions of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” in Montenegro through a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe initially launched in 2016. Council of Europe will support Montenegrin authorities to improve the protection of human rights of all persons deprived of liberty in the areas of police, prisons, mental health care institutions, and monitoring mechanisms. 
The Action will work in partnership with the Ministry of Interior/Police Administration, Administration for execution of criminal sanctions, Ministry of Justice, Ombudsman/National Preventive Mechanism, State Prosecutor’s Office, and Ministry of Health as well as other national stakeholders, including prominent civil society organisations active on the protection and promotion of human rights of detained persons. 
The Action’s main areas of intervention will strive to enhance the rights of persons deprived of liberty and achieve the following outcomes: 

  • Treatment of persons detained in police custody is improved in line with the Council of Europe standards against ill-treatment and impunity;
  • Authorities in Montenegro strengthen their capacity to better protect prisoners’ human rights;  
  • Detained persons in prisons receive improved health care services;
  • Better monitoring of detention facilities through enhanced capacity of the NPM Office.

The Action addresses the findings and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the application of Conventions of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR).
The duration of the project is set at 48 months, and will be completed by 31 December 2026, with an overall budget of 800,000 Euros. 

Project news

Regional Round Table fosters gender equality and inclusion in policing

13 November 2024 Montenegro

The Division for Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty of the Council of Europe hosted on 6-7 November a regional round table in Podgorica, focused on advancing gender equality within law enforcement agencies across the Western Balkans. Police professionals and policymakers from...

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New operating procedures for police middle management introduced in Montenegro

2 October 2024 Montenegro

The joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Montenegro” organized two training sessions for police middle management staff of the Regional Centre “North” on 26-27 September in Bijelo Polje, gathering...

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Monitoring bodies of Montenegro further strengthen their ability to conduct visits to places of detention

06 June 2024 Montenegro

The joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons in Montenegro” organised a specialised training session for monitoring officers of the National Preventive Mechanism and the Ministry of Justice on 3-4 June in Podgorica....

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Middle management staff better equipped to follow latest standards and practices in execution of criminal sanctions

20-22 February 2024 Becici, Montenegro

The Action “Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced person in Montenegro” organised a specialised training for 15 members of middle management staff of the Administration for Execution of Criminal Sanctions (AECS) to enhance their operational management skills, on 20-22...

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Montenegrin national institutions send a strong message of zero tolerance of all forms of ill-treatment and impunity

24.11.2023 Budva, Montenegro

A roundtable convened in Budva on 22-23 November gathered key investigating bodies in Montenegro to identify systemic shortcomings and jointly explore optimal solutions for the prevention of ill-treatment and combating impunity. The event was inaugurated by the heads of the State Prosecutor's...

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Police training on human rights continues in Montenegro

5 July 2023 Montenegro

Continuing the progress made in the previous phases, the national team of police trainers formed with the support of the Horizontal Facility (HF) action organized a 4-day training session for 35 police officers on 27-30 June 2023 in Budva. The training is especially important in the light of the...

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Project beneficiaries in the Western Balkans reinforce commitment to preventing radicalisation and countering violent extremism in prisons

16 May 2023 Montenegro

Project beneficiaries in the Western Balkans reinforce commitment to preventing radicalisation and countering violent extremism in prisons The first Steering Committee meeting of the Regional Action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and...

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