Depending on the needs and priorities of the beneficiaries concerned, work in this area concentrates on support to ombudspersons’ institutions, inclusive education (addressing racism, bullying, segregation and extremism in the education system), addressing trafficking in human beings (with a focus on assistance to victims of trafficking), countering discrimination against national minorities and/or when based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Back Montenegro institutions assess progress in aligning laws with the same-sex partnerships framework

Podgorica 9 July 2025
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Montenegro institutions assess progress in aligning laws with the same-sex partnerships framework

Montenegro is taking further steps to ensure that the rights of same-sex couples are fully protected, as institutions met on 9 July to review progress on aligning existing laws with the Law on Same-Sex Partnerships.

Organised under the joint European Union and Council of Europe action Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro, the meeting gathered representatives of ministries and institutions responsible for adapting laws and by-laws under their jurisdiction. The aim was to provide updates on the current status of legal harmonisation, identify gaps, and explore avenues for technical support from the Council of Europe in moving forward.

Representative of NGO Queer Montenegro also attended the meeting, and presented their study on alignment, offering concrete solutions for amendments of respective laws and by-laws.

Lejla Dervišagić, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, reminded that the Law on Same Sex partnerships was adopted five years ago with the expert support from the Council of Europe.

Mirjana Pajković, from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, emphasised that legislative alignment is one of  key activities under the Action plan for fulfilling the final benchmarks in negotiating Chapter 23- Judiciary and Fundamental Rights.

Friederike Wuenschmann, from the EU Delegation in Montenegro,  spoke about importance of having accurate data on alignment process for the purpose of preparing annual country report for Montenegro.

Representatives of various ministries shared progress updates, with alignment already underway in many areas. However, more efforts must be invested in aligning laws within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue regular exchanges on the alignment process, with the next follow-up meeting tentatively planned for the end of September.

The action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro” is implemented within the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye".

actions under theme iii: combating discrimination
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Albania    
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Bosnia and Herzegovina 
  • Quality education for all in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Kosovo* 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Montenegro 
  • Quality education for all in Montenegro 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in Serbia 
  • Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in Serbia  
  • Quality education for all in Serbia 
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in North Macedonia 
  • Preventing and combatting human trafficking in North Macedonia 
  • Strengthening the human rights protection of migrants and victims of human trafficking in Turkey 
  • Fostering a comprehensive institutional response to violence against women and domestic violence in Turkey (the action ended in June 2021)
  • Promotion of diversity and equality in the Western Balkans 
  • Fostering women’s access to justice in Turkey 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.