AI: Improve Human Rights in Independent Montenegro

05 July 2006

Amnesty International called upon Montenegrin President Vujanovic and Prime Minister Djukanovic to make good use of the newly-restored sovereignty of Montenegro to improve the human rights of all its citizens.

�Montenegrin authorities need to solve all past cases of human rights violations, in accordance with their international obligations resulting from its UN membership, including apprehension and extradition of the Hague Tribunal suspects that are believed to hide or pass through Montenegrin territory, including prime suspects Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic�, said Nicola Duckworth, AI Programming Director for Europe and Central Asia.

AI is worried because of the failure of Montenegrin authorities to bring to justice the people responsible for detention and disappearance of about 80 Bosnian Muslims, deported from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992.

�The relatives of the missing persons have the right to know the fate of their family members. The victims and the relatives of the dead have the right to immediate justice and unobstructed access to reparations�, said Duckworth.

AI called on the authorities to implement the recommendations of the European Committee for Prevention of Torture and provide protection for eight thousand refugees and 16,000 IDPs.

�Ethnic Albanians and Bosniaks still lack full minority rights, a situation that, for example, prevents the Bosniaks to receive information and education in their own language�, claims Amnesty International.

Amnesty International is especially concerned about the Roma, who faced increased racial attacks and continuing discrimination regarding their access to employment, transportation, healthcare and housing in 2005.

�The newly restored independence should act as a new stimulus to the Government of Montenegro to solve comprehensively all existing human rights problems. The fulfillment of its international obligation will promote Montenegro as distinguished new member of the UN and the Council of Europe�, concludes Duckworth.