OSCE Mission remains committed to close co-operation with Ombudsman institution of Montenegro

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro recognizes the important role of the Ombudsman institution, and remains committed to strengthening its co-operation, said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, in a meeting with the Ombudsman, Šućko Baković, on 28 July 2017 in Podgorica.

“This meeting is a good indicator of our strong co-operation, crucial to the institution and its work,” said Baković. Daviet emphasized the importance of the institution, its role in society for the protection of human rights and freedoms: “On behalf of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro I affirm our commitment and support. We came here today to agree on how to move forward, engage towards further progress.”

Both sides agreed that there are many areas of common interest in which the co-operation can be continued.

A first joint activity planned is the regional conference on the rights of children in media, which will be organized in the fall in co-operation with the Montenegrin Agency for Electronic Media and the Agency for Protection of Personal Data.

Daviet and Baković agreed that special attention must be given to the rights of children, taking into account all of the relevant national and international standards.

“Our institution attributes great importance to the protection of children and their rights in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as envisaged by the Montenegrin Constitution. Investing in children is investing in our country’s future,” said Baković.

Other topics that require joint action include protection from discrimination, with special emphasis on gender equality and domestic violence, the prevention of and protection from torture, as well as topics related to the judiciary system.