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 Office, Police Administration, Ombudsman and Deputy Minister of Interior and highlighted a resolute commitment to zero tolerance for any form of ill-treatment and impunity, resonating with the principles emphasized in country reports by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

Over the course of two days, a constructive discussion among representatives of the police, prosecutors, criminal lawyers, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and the Montenegrin representative before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg addressed communication deficiencies and discrepancies in the interpretation of legal norms.

It is expected that this roundtable will help to implement additional safeguards against ill-treatment, providing citizens with enhanced means of protection, and thus improve Montenegro's investigating system. These proactive measures align with the Montenegrin aspirations for European Union membership and demonstrate the country’s commitment to streamlining its practices with international standards.

The roundtable took place within the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, implemented by the Council of Europe.