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Judicial Reform: Upgrading CSO’s capacities to contribute to the integrity of judiciary

In order to move forward on its path to the European Union, Montenegro needs to make further progress in the rule of law reform, including in the implementation of the judiciary reform.

This project aimed to contribute to achieving a higher level of the rule of law in Montenegro, particularly by: increasing the level of professionalism, accountability, efficiency and integrity of the judiciary; improving the monitoring and advocacy capacities of local CSOs; and strengthening cooperation between civil society and judicial institutions, in line with the EU accession criteria under Chapters 23 and 24.

During its implementation period, the project helped improve the legal framework relating to the judicial system of Montenegro. In particular, it resulted in the adoption of a medium-term Plan for streamlining the court network and in the establishment of standardised statistical reporting in line with the CEPEJ guidelines. Furthermore, the Action Plan accompanying the 2019-2020 Judicial Reform Strategy was adopted and implemented. In addition, a new web platform for courts, the State Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice was set up, while the project also helped prepare policy papers with recommendations for relevant policy changes in the judicial system.

The project also contributed to establishing effective mechanisms of cooperation between CSOs and judicial institutions. Additionally, it helped build the capacities of CSOs through a sub-granting scheme on topics in the area of justice, including court monitoring methodology, advocacy, trial monitoring, anti-corruption and access to justice. The following 6 projects benefited from the sub-granting scheme:

Project name:

Judicial Reform: Upgrading CSO’s capacities to contribute to the integrity of judiciary

Sector:

  • Civil Society

Start time:

15/09/2017

End time:

14/03/2020

Location:

Montenegro – Basic Courts: Ulcinj, Herceg Novi, Kotor, Bar, Plav, Rozaje, Cetinje, Bijelo Polje, Kolasin, Berane, Niksic, Zabljak, Pljevlja, Podgorica, Danilovgrad; High Courts: Podgorica, Bijelo Polje.

Budget:

292136.00€

Beneficiary:

Centre for monitoring and research (CeMI)
Partners: NGO Center for Democracy and Human Rights – CEDEM; NGO Network for Affirmation of European Integration Process – MAEIP; Associates: Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court of Montenegro

More info:

https://cemi.org.me/
https://www.facebook.com/CeMIMontenegro/
https://twitter.com/cemi_me

News:

Additonal materials:

Grants

All = In Access 2 Justice – All equal in access to justice

All = In Access 2 Justice – All equal in access to justice

  • It was implemented by the Association of Youth with Disabilities Montenegro in order to contribute to the development of policies and increase standards in the area of protection of vulnerable groups (primarily persons with disabilities (PWDs)) through advocating for equal rights and equality of parties before Montenegrin courts. This sub-grant helped increase awareness of key stakeholders and the general public about the need for equal access to justice for PWDs.
Female reporter at press conference, writing notes, holding microphone

Presumption of Innocence or Presumption of Guilt?

  • It was implemented by the Society of professional journalists Montenegro, with an aim to improve the media's respect for the presumption of innocence when reporting on criminal proceedings in Montenegro, with a special focus on criminal proceedings against juveniles. Within this sub-grant a detailed survey was conducted on compliance with the presumption of innocence in criminal proceedings against juveniles. Also, it analyzed compliance with the presumption of innocence in media coverage of criminal proceedings in Montenegro by the print media and Internet portals; and helped improve the level of information and knowledge of journalists on the obligation to respect the presumption of innocence when reporting.
Free Media through Monitoring

Free Media through Monitoring

  • It was implemented by the Media Syndicate, with an aim to create a legal and social environment that provides freedom for journalists to do their job and generally a higher level of media freedom in Montenegro. More specifically, this sub-grant was aimed at reducing the level of self-censorship among journalists, by reducing the number of lawsuits for damage to honor and reputation and promoting alternative solutions. It resulted in established mechanisms for monitoring cases of violation of honor and reputation and improved capacity of the organization to monitor this issue in the future. Also, it increased public awareness of the level of self-censorship among journalists, and the impact it has on their work; as well as the number of lawsuits for violation of honor and reputation and the effect of intimidation they have on journalists.
Citizens in judicial reform

Citizens in judicial reform

  • It was implemented by the Centre for Political Education, with an aim of achieving a higher level of knowledge among the citizens of Niksic about the work and competencies of judicial and prosecutorial instances in that municipality. With this sub-grant it was achieved a higher degree of publicity of the work of the Basic Prosecutor's Office and the Basic Court in Niksic. Also, it was achieved a better understanding among citizens what are the competencies of the judicial and prosecutorial instances, and what is the institute of free legal aid.
Scales of justice and Gavel on wooden table and Lawyer or Judge working with agreement in Courtroom, Justice and Law concept.

More Transparent Montenegrin Courts

  • It was implemented by the European Youth Centre of Montenegro, with an aim to improve the transparency of the work of judicial institutions in Montenegro and the knowledge and skills of NGOs and media representatives for greater participation in the judicial reform process by increasing the participation in trial monitoring. Within this sub-grant it was signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between the NGO European Youth Center and the High Court in Bijelo Polje, as well as conducted trial monitoring in 6 basic courts and the High Court in Bijelo Polje and prepared a report on that.
Analysis of Choice of Judges and Prosecutors in Montenegro

Analysis of Choice of Judges and Prosecutors in Montenegro

  • It was implemented by the Human Rights Action (HRA), with an aim of strengthening the independence of the judiciary and achieving a higher level of public trust in independent judiciary. More specifically, this sub-grant contributed to checking the transparency and objectivity of the election of judges and state prosecutors; improving the transparency and objectivity of procedures for the selection of judges and state prosecutors; and improving the capacity of CSOs to analyze the work of the judiciary in relation to the procedures for the election of judges and prosecutors. Within the sub-grant, HRA prepared a report with conclusions on the application of existing regulations, as well as recommendations for improving regulations and practices in order to increase the transparency and objectivity of election procedures.

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