Further steps are being taken to finalise the country's first National Strategy for the Protection of Victims' Rights. On 26–28 February, a multi-institutional working group discussed the key strategic goals and activities outlined in the strategy and its accompanying Action Plan.

The draft strategy aligns with the requirements of Directive 2012/29/EU on Victims’ Rights and the standards of the Council of Europe in this area. It has been developed based on an ex-ante analysis and other relevant reports assessing the status of victims within Montenegro's legal system. In the coming months, work on the strategy and action plan will be completed, including an analysis of its fiscal impact. This will establish a sustainable and comprehensive framework for the protection of victims in Montenegro.

This initiative is supported in the framework of the action “Strengthening accountability of the judicial system and enhancing protection of victims’ rights in Montenegro”,  part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” which is enabling the Beneficiaries to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with European standards.