Protecting the rights of victims of criminal offenses requires continuous knowledge exchange and the professional development of justice professionals. This was the key message of a two-day training on procedural mechanisms for victim protection, with a focus on war crimes.
The Center for Training in the Judiciary and Public Prosecution, within the Programme for In-service Training of Judges and State Prosecutors for 2026, in cooperation with the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro, brought together representatives of the judiciary, bar, institutions, and civil society organizations with the aim of enhancing practical knowledge and applying international standards in protecting the rights of victims of criminal offenses, particularly victims of war crimes.
President of the Steering Committee of the Center for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecution, Ms Ljiljana Lakić, emphasized that training on this topic is of exceptional importance for the judicial system, particularly in light of the growing focus on improving the position of victims in criminal proceedings. She highlighted the need to strengthen procedural mechanisms for the protection of victims’ rights and to prevent secondary victimization, with full respect for international standards and best practices, as well as the importance of continuous professional training and enhanced inter-institutional cooperation in order to ensure more effective protection of the dignity, safety, and rights of victims.
Lejla Dervišagić, Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, emphasized that “the protection of victims, particularly those in vulnerable situations – including victims of war crimes, violence against women, and human trafficking – is high on the Council of Europe’s agenda. We continuously work to improve legal standards and public policies to create a system in which every victim is recognized, protected, and adequately supported.”
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Silke Holander highlighted the key role of ongoing knowledge exchange and professional development for judges, prosecutors, and other justice professionals. “Through the sharing of experiences, analysing good practices, and engaging in open dialogue, we can further strengthen institutional mechanisms and ensure that justice systems respond to the needs of victims in a professional, sensitive, and effective manner,” Holander added.
During the first day, participants had the opportunity to become familiar with international standards for victim protection, including practices of the European Union, United Nations, and Council of Europe, as well as comparative experiences from other countries. Special attention was given to the rights of war crimes victims and the challenges in ensuring their protection.
The training also presented practices of the public prosecution in working with victims, focusing on the most vulnerable groups, as well as the national legal and institutional framework for victim protection in Montenegro, including current and proposed legislative amendments.
The following sessions examined the situation of war crimes victims in the Montenegrin judicial system, identifying key challenges and opportunities to improve existing protection mechanisms.
On the second day, the focus was on practical aspects of victim protection, including the role of victim representatives in criminal proceedings, direct support to victims, and prevention of secondary victimization. Through examples of good and poor practices, participants exchanged experiences on communication and handling of victims.
A special segment of the training was dedicated to interdisciplinary cooperation as a key element of effective victim protection, emphasizing the need for coordinated action among all relevant actors.
The two-day training was implemented as part of the 2026 Continuous Training Programme for Judges and Public Prosecutors and supported through the Actions “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,” and the regional initiative “EU Support to Confidence Building in the Western Balkans,” implemented by UNDP Montenegro and financed by the European Union.
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