How can Montenegro strengthen its response to racism and hate speech and bring its legal and institutional framework closer to European standards? This question was at the centre of the intersectoral dialogue “Combating racism and hate speech in Montenegro: aligning with European standards”, which brought together representatives of ministries, public administration, civil society and international organizations. Opening speakers included Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media; Siniša Bjeković, Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms; Edmond Ujkaj, Assistant Director of the Human Resources Management Authority; Irena Varagić, Head of Department at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, together with EU and CoE representatives..

The discussion shaped around the findings of the recently published comparative study on anti-racism policies, which covers nine beneficiaries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region.

The study highlights Montenegro’s broad efforts to prevent discrimination, promote equality and strengthen inclusion. It also points to persistent prejudice and to the social exclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities. It calls for enhanced institutional awareness and support to grounds at risk being marginalised.

Two issues were at the heart of the discussion: the development of an action plan to combat racism, which forms part of Montenegro’s EU accession process, including by establishing a Coordination Body in charge of drafting the plan. Further, the need to ensure a reliable and systematic  collection of disaggregated equality datato design evidence-based policies, measure progress and ensure victims’ rights.

National trainers Nerma Dobardžić and Milena Krsmanović Iković presented the online course “Combating racism and racial discrimination”, based on General Policy Recommendation No. 7 of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) on national legislation to combat racism and racial discrimination. The course is designed to help civil servants apply anti-discrimination standards in their daily work.

The event closed with conclusions and recommendations, with special emphasis on importance of having accurate data on cases of reported discrimination in line with the recently adopted Rulebook on the content and manner of keeping special records on cases of reported discrimination. A tailor-made capacity building of civil servants on application of Rulebook will represent one of priorities of the action in upcoming year.

 Read more: New study maps progress and gaps in anti-racism policies in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership region

The event was co-organised within the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro” and the regional action “Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.