Publications

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro supported the Office of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro in preparing an analysis of court verdicts for misdemeanors of domestic violence and violence against women in 2019, and during the COVID-19 pandemic for March- July 2020. The document analyzed 184 verdicts from the following courts: Misdemeanor court in Bijelo Polje (divisions in Pljevlja, Berane and Rožaje), Misdemeanor court in Budva (divisions in Ulcinj, Bar, Kotor and Herceg Novi) and Misdemeanor court in Podgorica (divisions in Nikšić, Cetinje and Danilovgrad). Some of the main conclusions of the Analysis are that vast majority of the victims of domestic violence are women, that the victims are often not aware of the possibility to initiate misdemeanor proceedings themselves and that the penalty policy is mild. The Analysis provides a good basis to integrate the principles of gender equality into courts’ procedures and practices in cases of domestic violence and violence against women.

This report examines police reform in Montenegro between 2011 and 2019, focused on progress made in good governance in policing. This is the fourth assessment of police reform conducted by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. Previous reports can be found here: “Police Reform in Montenegro 2006-2011: Assess¬ment and Recommendations”; 2001 and 2006. The research for the report was conducted in late summer and autumn of 2019 and as such, does not include developments in 2020, marked by protests, the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 parliamentary elections which resulted in the first change of the governing majority in three decades. These events continue to have a strong impact on policing in Montenegro. The findings of the report are based on extensive desk research and interviews with 78 individuals from the Police Directorate and other Montenegrin authorities, as well as from civil society, media, and international organisations. The report notes significant developments in policing, identifies gaps and challenges and provides concrete recommendations for the Ministry of Interior, Police Directorate and other government institutions and the international community, which should form the basis for future constructive discussions.

The Mission conducted public Perception Survey of the Police on attitudes of Montenegrin citizens towards the work of Police Directorate in late November- early December 2020. The survey emphasis was on citizens view of the main threats to their personal safety, safety problems in their respective towns and national level, perception of the institutions and overall police reform. The aim was to provide data and analysis about the public perception of policing in Montenegro that could help to better identify areas for improving and shaping future actions to overcome spotted challenges.

The brochure is intended for all young people, both men and women, in order to bring them closer to the profession of police officer. In line with affirmative action measures to increase the number of women in the police, we would like to further encourage women to get informed and potentially interested in working in the police. Not available in English.

In order to provide stakeholders of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro with more detailed knowledge about the differentiation between inappropriate and hate speech, the Mission hired an international consultant to produce a comprehensive research. The study examines and differentiates the fine lines between inappropriate, defamatory and hate speech in media content, with a particular focus on online media. Within the research, the consultant explains the lines between expressions of opinion, allegations, defamations and incitement to violence, hate speech and other forms of deliberate disinformation present in media content. The research compares EU and Montenegrin law and regulations, including the practise of the ECHR, media standards on self-regulation, and Journalist’s Codes of Ethics.

The Manual on Project Proposal Writing was created as part of the capacity building program of local public broadcasters in Montenegro, implemented by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. The guide aims to help local public broadcasters prepare project proposals that they can apply for funds available from domestic and international donors. This is a document accompanying a two-day training organized by the OSCE Mission aimed at developing concrete project ideas among local public service broadcasters. (Available only in Montenegrin)

The strategy builds on existing responses and commitment to co-operation with partners in order to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. It relies on and continues to develop on the basis of previous international and domestic experience and provides for new initiatives in response to trafficking in human beings in all its forms and segments. The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy is for the period of 2019.

These rules are to enable meaningful, well-argued and entertaining debate that contributes to the discussion on the topic raised by articles, while respecting the dignity of all participants. These rules are set forth with the aim to protect users and media outlets from breaching legal and ethical norms.

The Platform was developed by the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior and the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. Under the slogan “Together against Violent Extremism”, this Platform should bring together the representatives of relevant national institutions, local authorities, media, political parties, NGOs, religious communities, academic community and individuals who can contribute to P/C VERLT.

The national guidelines on the general principles regarding non-punishment provision of victims of trafficking in human beings encompasses a set of measures and activities to be taken by police officers, state prosecutors and judges to act on the special urgency in order to respond duly by focusing on the protection of the victims' human rights.