Legislative Trends and New Developments in Montenegro

last updated June 2007

Contributed by: Vanja Mikulic and Irena Milatovic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors

New Family Law Passed
Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro, on its session from 27 December 2006 adopted the new Family Law.
The Initiative of the SOS Niksic for the Establishment of the Council for Gender Equality in Niksic
The initiative of SOS Hotline for Women and Children victims of violence Niksic for the establishment of Council for Gender Equality in Niksic was accepted.
Manual for State Prosecutors
FOSI-ROM funded development of the Manual for the work of State Prosecutors, published in March 2005.
Inter-professional Cooperation – Condition for Prevention of Violence in Family
Report from the training sessions for multi-disciplinary teams, published by SOS hotline for women and children victims of violence Podgorica.
Establishment and Activities of the Office for Domestic Violence Within Law Enforcement Office in Niksic Municipality
The Office for Domestic Violence in Police Department has been established within the project “Program of coordinated activities for elimination of violence in family”, realized by SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence in Niksic, and supported by OSCE and FOSI-ROM.
Drafting New Family Law and Law on Protection from Violence in Family of the Republic of Montenegro

Save the Children UK – Program in Montenegro has initiated drafting of two new laws.

SOS Hotline and Shelter for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings
With the aim of prevention and protection of victims of trafficking, as well as for the education of population regarding the trafficking issue, NGO Montenegrin Women’s Lobby (MWL) is running two important projects which complement and permeate each other: SOS hotline and Shelter for victims of trafficking in human beings.
Establishment of multi-disciplinary teams and signing the Memorandum of Cooperation at municipal level - Podgorica, Berane, Bijelo Polje and Ulcinj (2003-2005)
The problem of violence against women is a complex psycho-social problem that requires a team approach for its solution, which is not possible within only one profession, but with an inter-professional approach.
Regional In-Depth Study on Domestic Violence Initiated
An in-depth study aims to describe the situation with respect to domestic violence in the participating countries, as domestic violence is a serious problem that needs the high-level attention of national authorities. In this project, the national research teams are studying the question whether the governments of the participating countries are correctly implementing international law with respect to domestic violence into national laws, policies and practices.
Initiative for the Adoption of the Witness Protection Law conducted by NGO “Women’s Safe House”
After adoption of the Witness Protection Law by the Assembly of the Republic of Montenegro on October 19th 2004, "Women's Safe House" has successfully finished initiative and campaign for Adoption of the Witness Protection Law.
The proposal for the amendment of the Law on Labor
In November 2004, the Gender Equality Office of the Government of Montenegro has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Labor and Social Care to recognize the prohibition of discrimination and sexual harassment in the Law on Labor.
Rulebook for Police Officers

In order to increase the level of court protection for women and children victims of violence, SOS hotline for women and children victims of violence Podgorica started an initiative for development and passage of the Rulebook for Police Officers, which will be the basis for police reports and interventions in domestic violence cases.