Montenegro has made significant strides in aligning its legislative framework with international standards in combating violence against women. However, despite these normative advancements, the inadequate implementation of laws leaves women among the most vulnerable groups in society, it was highlighted at the roundtable “Improving the Judicial Response to Violence against Women”, held in Podgorica.
The event, organised by the AIRE Centre with support from the British Embassy in Podgorica, brought together over 30 representatives from judicial and legislative institutions, international organisations, civil society, and academia, alongside leading experts in human rights and gender equality.
The Minister of Justice of Montenegro, Bojan Božović, opened the event by emphasising the importance of a coordinated institutional approach to addressing gender-based violence.
“The European Commission has set two key requirements for Montenegro: the appointment of the President of the Supreme Court and the adoption of binding guidelines for prosecutors on handling domestic violence cases. Both goals have been achieved, which will undoubtedly enhance the judicial response to gender-based violence and strengthen protections for the most vulnerable”, stated Minister Božović.
He also underlined that Montenegro’s efforts in this area will not cease.
“The Ministry of Justice will adopt a strategy for a comprehensive and holistic response to these cases. Responsibility lies with all of us – from judicial and prosecutorial institutions to the police, social services, and educational institutions. We cannot hide behind legal norms; we must clearly define competencies and take accountability”, Božović concluded.
British Ambassador in Podgorica Dawn McKen reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s continued support in combating violence against women.
“It is essential for every institution – the police, prosecutors, and judiciary – to recognise its responsibility to protect victims in a timely manner. This requires the police to respond adequately and maintain proper records of reported violence, prosecutors to appropriately classify offences, and the judiciary to establish practices that prioritise justice for victims and act preventively”, said Ambassador McKen.
“There is significant room for improvement in each of these areas. This is why the UK Government supports initiatives aimed at improving systemic responses to violence”, the Ambassador stressed.
One of the focal points of the discussion was the criminalisation of femicide, given the alarming number of gender-based violence cases resulting in the most tragic outcome—murder. This issue was recognised as a global challenge and an urgent priority for Montenegro and the wider region.
Maja Raičević, Director of the Centre for Women’s Rights of Montenegro, acknowledged Montenegro’s robust legislative foundations but pointed out the shortcomings in their enforcement.
“The issues lie in poor law implementation, lack of resources, and insufficient training for judicial professionals. Without systemic change and coordinated action, it is difficult to expect long-term results. Belgium serves as a good example, with its holistic approach that recognises gender-based violence as a criminal offence, includes measures for tracking and monitoring such cases, implements specific preventive actions, and ensures the protection of child victims”, Raičević noted.
The President of the Appellate Court of Montenegro, Mirjana Popović, highlighted the need for improvements in judicial practice.
“Cases of gender-based violence must be handled with sensitivity and an understanding of the societal impact of judicial decisions. Every verdict in such cases carries multiple implications – delivering justice to the victim, punishing the perpetrator, and sending a clear message to society that violence is unacceptable”, said Judge Popović.
The event was prompted by the recommendations outlined in the publication “Judicial Response to Femicide in the Western Balkans”, which summarises three years of research into legal frameworks and judicial practice in prosecuting gender-based killings of women. The report provides recommendations for improving the prosecution and prevention of femicide in the region.
Sabina Đapo, Programme Manager for the AIRE Centre in the Western Balkans, underlined the importance of this research.
“Only through systematic monitoring of femicide can we implement coordinated and informed measures to enhance institutional responses, involving judicial, police, educational, social, and other systems. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and lay the groundwork for future actions. One key recommendation focuses on strengthening criminal legislation to enable a more robust response to gender-based killings of women, which directly motivated the organisation of this roundtable”, Đapo explained.
This publication represents a significant step towards harmonising judicial practices across the region, ensuring that femicide is addressed with the gravity it demands. The recommendations aim to strengthen judicial capacities and align responses with international standards in the fight against gender-based violence.
