Access to justice and human rights in Montenegro - trial monitoring project 2021-2023

Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI) in cooperation with Human Rights Action (HRA) is implementing the project „Access to justice and human rights in Montenegro - trial monitoring project 2021-2023“.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to further democratization and increase of the level of the rule of law enforcement and respect of human rights in Montenegro, through advocacy campaign towards key decision-makers for adequate legislative, policy and/or institutional changes in relation to administration of criminal justice system in Montenegro, and raising public awareness on the most important aspects of equal access to justice, including the new legal mechanisms and human rights.

The goal of the project is also strengthening of the role of civil society organizations in promoting human rights and good governance, especially in the area of access to justice and the rule of law. Throughout the project, CeMI and HRA will establish a joint committee with civil society organizations and judicial institutions and regular communication between civil society organizations and representatives of the judiciary.

Project also envisages trial monitoring and analysis of respect for human rights, with a focus on respect of the procedural rights of suspects/accused and victims, as well as monitoring access to justice of vulnerable groups and those prosecuted due to measures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, CeMI will renew and improve its trial monitoring methodology, and provide training for the members of the trial monitoring team.

Project activities will be followed by publishing of thematic and annual reports on topics of importance for the protection of human rights in the criminal justice system.

The project is supported by the European Commission (EIDHR).