Newsroom
OSCE Mission dissatisfied by outcome of Montenegrin human trafficking case
BELGRADE 10 June 2003
BELGRADE, 10 June 2003 - The OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro is dissatisfied that the municipal prosecutor has decided not to proceed with a high-profile human trafficking case in Montenegro, in which a young woman from Moldova accused four persons, including the Deputy State Prosecutor.
The Mission had closely followed this case and advocated the full application of the law from the very beginning.
"The way the case has been concluded is disconcerting," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, Ambassador Maurizio Massari. "In fact the conclusion of the case calls into question the ability of the Montenegro legal system to deal with complexities in cases relating to human trafficking."
The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stressed - during his recent visit to Montenegro - that the case should be handled in accordance with due legal process and with full respect for the rule of law.
Discussion of the case at the OSCE Permanent Council session on 5 June 2003 also showed widespread concern and disappointment at the outcome of the case.
The case underlines the importance and need for judicial reform in Montenegro. The OSCE Mission pledges its commitment to provide support in this regard and urges adoption of the draft law on the state prosecutor. In order to fight human trafficking effectively, the Mission furthermore calls for the development of a human rights-based referral mechanism for victims of trafficking in Montenegro, in addition to strengthened witness protection for trafficked victims. The Mission also pledges to continue its assistance in the prevention of trafficking through border policing programmes.
The OSCE Mission will continue to support the work of the anti-trafficking project board in Montenegro and urges the Government of Montenegro to redouble its efforts to ensure that victims of human trafficking are protected and that perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Mission had closely followed this case and advocated the full application of the law from the very beginning.
"The way the case has been concluded is disconcerting," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, Ambassador Maurizio Massari. "In fact the conclusion of the case calls into question the ability of the Montenegro legal system to deal with complexities in cases relating to human trafficking."
The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stressed - during his recent visit to Montenegro - that the case should be handled in accordance with due legal process and with full respect for the rule of law.
Discussion of the case at the OSCE Permanent Council session on 5 June 2003 also showed widespread concern and disappointment at the outcome of the case.
The case underlines the importance and need for judicial reform in Montenegro. The OSCE Mission pledges its commitment to provide support in this regard and urges adoption of the draft law on the state prosecutor. In order to fight human trafficking effectively, the Mission furthermore calls for the development of a human rights-based referral mechanism for victims of trafficking in Montenegro, in addition to strengthened witness protection for trafficked victims. The Mission also pledges to continue its assistance in the prevention of trafficking through border policing programmes.
The OSCE Mission will continue to support the work of the anti-trafficking project board in Montenegro and urges the Government of Montenegro to redouble its efforts to ensure that victims of human trafficking are protected and that perpetrators are brought to justice.