Montenegro presents National Report on Human Rights at UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva

Published date: 29.01.2013 17:05 | Author: PR Bureau

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Geneva, Switzerland (29 January 2012) – Montenegro’s Minister for Human and Minority Rights Suad Numanović presented yesterday at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva the National Report on Human Rights in Montenegro, within the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the human rights performance of UN Member States.

Minister Numanović stressed that notable progress has been made in furthering human rights and freedoms in Montenegro. He noted Montenegro’s commitment to improving the rule of law and the human rights protection system, highlighting the importance of cooperation with the UN, Council of Europe, other international and regional initiatives, and the country’s ambition to join the EU.

In his presentation of the Report, Minister Numanović gave an overview of Montenegro’s efforts towards the safeguard of human rights. He presented the country’s results in the development of a stable normative and institutional system for the enjoyment, safeguard, and promotion of human rights and freedoms. He underlined his satisfaction that the Report is being presented shortly after Montenegro’s membership in the Human Rights Committee began on 1 January 2013.

Following the Minister’s introductory presentation, 54 states gave comments and recommendations on how Montenegro could further improve its efforts in this area. Montenegro received 126 recommendations, which the country Delegation will attempt to implement together with the members of the Troika (the US, Estonia, and Mauritania) over the following two days.

The issues raised in the discussion mainly focused on the protection from all forms of discrimination (in particular those aimed at persons with dissabilities, ethnic minorities, Roma population, LGBT persons), children’s rights, gender equality, prevention of violence against women, refugee and displaced persons’ status, fight against corruption and organised crime, media freedom, and the enhancement of the judicial system. It was pointed out that the Ombudsman’s financial and human resources capacities should be further enhanced.

The Report vote is scheduled for Thursday, 31 January.