Uruguay >> Montenegro, Recommendation, 43rd Session, May 2023

In line with its international commitments, Montenegro continues to make significant efforts on eradicating gender-based violence. The Operational Team for Combating Domestic Violence and Violence against Women was formed, and the Department for Protection against Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence was formed to monitor the implementation of the Istanbul Convention. In accordance with the Istanbul Convention, the recommendations of the CEDAW Committee and GREVIO, the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code were amended in relation to domestic violence; their adoption is expected this year. ... In terms of services, Montenegro currently has four shelters for victims of violence and will strive to establish shelters in the southern part of the country. Amendments to the Law on Social Welfare and Child Care will introduce crisis centres for victims of sexual violence. ... The budget of shelters for victims of violence has been increasing every year, to make sure their funding is stable. The adoption of the National Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention is underway, which will contain a number of activities to implement the recommendations of the GREVIO Committee, but also the Convention itself. In order to improve the visibility of victims' rights to free legal aid, representatives of the judiciary participate in the promotion of victims' rights in the media, and all the details about the campaign are presented on the website, where victims and potential victims can be informed about their rights in a timely manner. The state is committed to the implementation of the "zero tolerance" principle towards violence against women and domestic violence through efficient and coordinated cooperation of all competent authorities, institutions and organizations.