PODGORICA – New study published by the Institute Alternative has shown that normative framework regulating freedom of public assemblies in Montenegro ought to be further improved.
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The way in which police handle demonstrations is always potentially controversial. The number of protests in Montenegro has risen from only a few in 2014 to more than 30 in 2015. Some of public protests gathered several thousands of people which requires better police handling of event.
The right to publicly gather and organize an assembly is a constitutional right in Montenegro and legislation is mostly in compliance with international standards. However, legislators have failed to address certain issues.
Those issues range from overlapping competences of authorities on national and local level, rough fine policy to the organizers of assemblies, to lack of facilitation by the Ministry of Interior, as the state authority in this area, as well as repressive policing.
The law currently in force has been adopted in 2005 and amended three times afterwards, thus, there is an obvious need for improvements and regulation of this area in accordance with best practice of protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Draft Law on Public Assemblies and Public Performances, currently in parliamentary procedure provides some improvement, though failing to address key issues properly.
The study emphasizes the recommendations that need to be implemented in order to reduce or eliminate shortcomings of legal framework and current practices of the responsible authorities.
Civil society organizations
dedicated to oversight of police integrity.