On 12 May 2025, the Council of Europe hosted an important event in Podgorica, Montenegro, to present the findings of the Baseline Study of Legislation, Policy, and Judicial Practice on Human Rights and the Environment in South-East Europe.
The study provides an overview of legal and policy frameworks across six jurisdictions in the South-East Europe, including Montenegro. It examines both substantive and procedural rights, assesses the implementation of domestic laws and judicial practices, and offers practical recommendations to address key legal and institutional challenges within Montenegro’s legal system.
In her opening remarks, the president of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro, Ms Snežana Armenko, highlighted that « this is not only a time to reflect on past achievements, but also an opportunity to prepare for future challenges and opportunities, which represents an important step in bridging two of the most pressing priorities of our time: sustainable development and environmental protection ».
Mr Predrag Zenović, Chief Negotiator of Montenegro with the European Union emphasised that « the protection of the environment is not a sectorial policy – it is a human rights issue and fundamental expression of the social contract between state and its people. Montenegro, as an ecological state, has the constitutional duty and the historic opportunity to lead by example in the region. That is not only a matter of compliance - it is matter of conviction »
Ms Lejla Dervišagić, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, underlined that « only through joint efforts of the judiciary, executive bodies, civil society, and international partners can a legal and policy framework be built where nature, ecosystems, and people all thrive ».
The roundtable brought together representatives from Montenegrin courts, prosecutorial offices, the Ministry of Ecology, the Ombudsperson’s Office, civil society, and the legal profession. Participants engaged in an in-depth discussion on the study’s key findings and recommendations, strengthening their understanding of the interconnection between human rights and environmental protection, especially through the lens of European and international legal standards.
The Baseline Study is intended to pave the way for further progress in protecting human rights and the environment in Montenegro, offering a valuable reference point for domestic institutions and practitioners.
The roundtables were organised in the framework of the regional Project on Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in South-East Europe, funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund.
Baseline Study of Legislation, Policy, and Judicial Practice on Human Rights and the Environment in South-East Europe (download)