The European Union and the Council of Europe support the authorities of Montenegro in implementation of the EU legislation and relevant case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on procedural safeguards in criminal proceedings.

In this context, three main baseline studies were developed by a working group composed of the Council of Europe experts: on victims’ rights, on rights of suspects and accused persons and on rights of persons deprived of liberty. The studies provide recommendations for legislative and policy in the area of procedural safeguards in criminal proceedings. To ensure a harmonised approach the detailed work plan for transposition of the EU Directives and standards into the national legislation is being developed in close co-operation with the Ministry of Justice and relevant counterparts.

On 24 July 2020, the consultative meeting with the Ministry of Justice took place to agree on the future steps to be taken and to co-ordinate the activities with the UNICEF Country Office in Montenegro, in light of its recommendations for alignment of the national legislative framework with the relevant standards relating to procedural rights of children involved in criminal proceedings.

The action "Improved procedural safeguards in judicial proceedings in Montenegro" is a part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022”.