17 March 2019 - It is an undoubted duty of every society that perceives justice as its core virtue to counter most fiercely against violence against women, said Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin at the opening of the conference "Violence against women - application of the Istanbul Convention and resistance to retrograde processes."
He noted that today the criminal legislation of Montenegro is mostly in line with the Convention.
"Additional protection of the physical, psychological and social integrity of women is ensured by the introduction of new criminal offenses. Stricter sentences have been introduced in the criminal offense of domestic violence or the family community in the way that the sentence for the basic form of this criminal offense is increased from one to two years, while the violation of the measure of protection against domestic violence determined by the court or other state body foresees a prison sentence of up to one year, instead of the previous six months," the Deputy Prime Minister explained.
To reduce the risk of re-execution of certain criminal offenses, the possibility has been introduced for perpetrators of the criminal offense of domestic violence to be imposed a measure of prohibition of approaching the victim or leaving the apartment. "In line with the Convention, new criminal offenses - rape and the conclusion of a null and void marriage, have been introduced. Furthermore, by amending the Law on Free Legal Aid, victims of domestic violence have been granted the right to free legal aid, in the same way as victims of trafficking in human beings," he underscored.
He pointed out that in September last year, a new Protocol on the Treatment, Prevention, and Protection against Domestic Violence was signed, which envisages improved procedures and closer cooperation between state authorities and the civil sector in combating domestic violence and violence against women.
"Regardless of what has been achieved, we can and must do more in this area. The recommendations of the last year's GREVIO Committee's report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in Montenegro give us excellent guidelines in this direction," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.
He added, however, that violence against women cannot be eliminated only by laws and penalties. "It is necessary that the entire society and all of us as individuals, both publicly and privately, raise the voice against violence against women and send a clear message that Montenegro cannot and will not tolerate it," said Deputy Prime Minister Pažin.
He expressed the belief that this is the only way to make the unsubstantiated condemnation of violence against women become a firmly established moral norm in Montenegro.
"Only then will we know with certainty that as a society we have achieved an enviable level of awareness of the true meaning of justice," he underlined.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the conference organisers, as well as numerous other partners from the civil sector and the international community, for significant efforts they have invested in the achievement of this valuable social mission. "Whether you provide support and protection to victims of violence, affirm female entrepreneurship or strengthen civil and political rights of women, you contribute to a safe, just and richer Montenegro. I assure you that on the path of emancipation and prosperity of the Montenegrin society, the Government of Montenegro remains your sincere and reliable partner," he concluded.
The Istanbul Convention is a partner initiative of the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and the Women's Political Network within the Gender Equality Programme, funded by the Delegation of the European Union, and implemented by the UNDP.
