Joint Programme

Horizontal Facility

Judges, prosecutors and other criminal justice practitioners and service providers participated in a two-day training aimed at strengthening the protection of victims and supporting the effective implementation of recent legislative amendments enhancing victims’ rights throughout criminal proceedings.

The training translated international standards and Montenegro’s legal framework into practical guidance for courts and prosecution services. Sessions addressed key aspects of victims’ rights and treatment throughout proceedings, including access to legal aid, privacy safeguards, prevention of secondary victimisation, child-sensitive communication, forensic interviewing, victim identification and inter-institutional cooperation.

Particular attention was given to the practical implementation of the Guidelines on Compensation, issued by the Supreme Court and the Supreme State Prosecutor of Montenegro. The Guidelines provide practical tools to judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals on addressing compensation claims within criminal proceedings, in line with national legislation and international standards.

Capacity-building activities remain an important pillar of efforts to strengthen victims’ rights, supporting justice sector professionals in translating the guarantees provided by the legislative framework into effective practice.

The two-day training was implemented as part of the 2026 Continuous Training Programme for Judges and Public Prosecutors and supported through the UNODC project “Strengthening Prevention and Responses to Human Trafficking in Sweden’s Priority Countries and Regions,” funded by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and 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.”