A three-day seminar on trial monitoring methodology was held from June 17 to June 19 at the Hotel Palas in Petrovac. 

The seminar participants were representatives of the Centre for Monitoring and Research CeMI and the Human Rights Action HRA, who, in the coming period will monitor court proceedings. In that regard, the goal of the seminar was to increase capacities of CeMI and HRA monitors in the area of trial monitoring. 

The introductory speech at the seminar was given by Zlatko Vujovic, president of the Governing Board of CeMI, and Marija Veskovic, legal advisor at HRA. 

The lecturers at the seminar were Milorad Markovic, external legal consultant and Ognjen Mitrovic, coordinator of the trial monitoring team. 

During the first day, lecturers presented the methodology that CeMI and HRA monitors will use to monitor court proceedings. Participants had the opportunity to learn more about the process and importance of trial monitoring at the domestic and international level, as well as to get acquainted with the goals and basic principles of trial monitoring. 

Participants started the second day of the seminar by learning about the differences between systemic, thematic and ac hoc monitoring, and continued their education through a lecture on standard procedures and behavior of monitors, selection of courts and cases to observe, and they learned the basic fair trial standards. 

On the third day of the seminar, the focus of the training was on thematic monitoring and practical work, where participants gained knowledge on how to compile and fill out various forms that will be used when monitoring court proceedings and inspecting case files. Participants also gained valuable knowledge about the possibilities and ways of advocating legislative and other changes with the competent institutions and authorities. 

The seminar was held within the project: “Access to justice and human rights in Montenegro – trial monitoring project 2022-2023”, which is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.