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

Posted on

June 21, 2021

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

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

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.

Dummy Grant

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MIROVNO – Media and Roma organizations on peer violence in education

Implemented by the NGO Monitor Center for Media and Democracy, with an aim to help reducing the level of peer violence against Roma youth. In order to raise awareness of peer violence against members of the Roma community, this sub-grant included production of several research articles. In the research process were also involved journalists from the Roma portal “Romalitika”.

Theater against peer violence

Implemented by the NGO Taraba Training Center, with an aim to prevent peer violence by raising students' awareness about the problem of violence and its consequences through applied theater. With this sub-grant was supported development of the theater play "They Wanted Something Else", based on text by Milena Depolo. The play deals with various forms of peer violence and relationships among young people during the high school period. It was shown in 10 cities in Montenegro, and gathered more than 3,500 spectators. The play received an extraordinary reaction from the audience, including students, teachers and parents, who recognized its message and importance.

Meet, recognize and report e-violence

Implemented by the NGO ZINAK, with an aim to establish a mechanism for the prevention and protection against e-violence among school-age children. Within this sub-grant, 34 workshops and panel discussions about e-violence and cyber bullying were organised. It reached more than 800 students, teachers and parents, supporting them to strengthen their capacities in the fight against e-violence. Also, it supported development of the web site www.stopnasilju.me which serves for providing information about peer violence, reporting the cases of peer violence, as well as to receiving necessary support.

Meet and recognize violence

Implemented by the NGO Children of Montenegro, with an aim to contribute to the prevention of Internet violence against and among children, through the implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable prevention program, and capacity building of teachers and children in schools and other institutions to combat Internet violence. This sub-grant involved 700 students, 65 teachers and 60 parents. It included organization of capacity building training for teaching staff; panels for parents; and workshops, research and presentations for students on how to recognise and prevent Internet violence against and among children. Also, within this sub-grant was formed a working group that developed guidelines and a manual how to prevent and combat e-violence.

Keep it in mind

Implemented by the NGO TNT, with an aim to contribute to prevention of peer violence and students as content creators in the fight against peer violence. Within this sub-grant, a competition for short stories and casting for a play on the topic of peer violence were organised, for young people aged 14 to 18. A total of 68 articles from all over Montenegro were submitted to the competition and authors of the three best stories were awarded. Also, 23 stories were selected and published within the collection of stories "Keep in mind”. A total of 9 young students/actors from three high schools in Podgorica were selected to participate in the play "Puppet". The play was played four times, until the end of the implementation period of this sub-grant.

Tolerance is our choice

Implemented by the NGO SOS line for women and children victims of violence – Ulcinj, with an aim to increase the level of prevention of violence among young people in Ulcinj and empower them to oppose violence at all levels. More specifically, it was aimed at creating a positive school environment in which everyone feels safe, accepted and respected. It included 8 workshops for primary and secondary school students, which were conducted through two developed programs: "Creating a positive classroom" and "10 facts about school violence". These workshops were followed by the distribution of educational material, which was produced in both Montenegrin and Albanian. As the final activity, within this sub-grant was organised a round table with local actors, who had the opportunity to discuss some of the possible joint initiatives to combat peer violence at the local level.