Montenegro
As of early 2026, Montenegro is in an "intensive phase" of reform driven by its goal of EU accession. While the country has made significant legislative strides—particularly with the 2024 "IBAR" laws (Interim Benchmark Assessment Report) that modernized the judiciary and media sectors—the implementation of these laws remains uneven.
The following are the key human rights issues in Montenegro today:
1. Judiciary and the Rule of Law
The Montenegrin judiciary has undergone structural changes to improve independence, yet it remains vulnerable to political influence.
Political Interference: Public perception of judicial independence significantly decreased in 2025. Surveys show that nearly 74% of the population views the courts as susceptible to government pressure.
Persistent Backlogs: Despite the appointment of a new Supreme Court President in 2025, administrative and criminal cases face massive backlogs. This delays the right to a fair trial and timely justice.
Impunity for War Crimes: Montenegro still struggles to provide full redress for victims of the 1990s Yugoslav wars. International bodies have criticized the slow pace of domestic war crimes prosecutions and the lack of adequate reparations.
2. Freedom of Expression and Media Pluralism
Montenegro has a vibrant and pluralistic media environment, but journalists face distinct safety and legal challenges.
Journalist Safety: While the state has a "zero-tolerance" policy for violence against journalists, "cold cases" of past attacks remain unsolved. In 2025, instances of online harassment and illegal surveillance of local reporters (notably at Gradska TV) raised alarms.
Independence of the Public Broadcaster: There are ongoing concerns regarding the editorial and financial independence of the national broadcaster (RTCG) from political influence.
Media Ownership Transparency: New laws in 2024/2025 improved transparency regarding media owners, but the regulation of the online media sphere remains weak, contributing to the spread of disinformation and hate speech.
3. Gender-Based Violence and Women’s Rights
A "crisis of femicide" in late 2024 and 2025 has forced the state to prioritize gender-based violence (GBV) reforms.
Femicide and Negligence: Between 2017 and late 2025, 22 women were killed by partners or family members, many after having already reported violence to the police. This has led to accusations of state negligence.
Victims' Rights Strategy (2026–2028): In January 2026, the government launched its first comprehensive Strategy for the Protection of Victims' Rights, aiming to establish a coordinated, victim-centered response across the judiciary and police.
Social Barriers: Surveys in late 2025 revealed that over 60% of women still fear reporting violence due to social stigma, and only 4% of the general public recognizes sexual coercion within a relationship as abuse.
4. LGBTQ+ Rights and Discrimination
Montenegro is a regional leader in LGBTQ+ legislation but lags in social acceptance.
Legal Protections: Montenegro is ranked among the top European countries for LGBTQ+ legal rights. Since 2021, same-sex couples have been able to enter Life Partnerships, which offer most rights of marriage except for adoption.
Gender Identity Reform: As of 2026, a new law is under consideration to allow gender self-determination on personal documents without the requirement of surgical intervention or medical procedures—a major demand from activists.
High Rates of Hate Speech: Despite legal protections, the LGBTQ+ community, along with Roma and Egyptian minorities, remains a primary target for hate speech and physical intimidation, which often goes unreported.
5. Migrant and Refugee Rights
Montenegro is both a transit and destination country for migrants, with a growing permanent foreign population.
The New Law on Foreigners (2026): Amendments that entered into force in January 2026 have tightened residence requirements. For example, temporary residence based on real estate now requires a minimum property value of €150,000.+1
Asylum Challenges: While Montenegro hosts a large number of Ukrainian refugees and Malian asylum seekers, the integration of non-European refugees into the labor market and education system remains difficult due to bureaucratic hurdles and language barriers.
6. Rights of Detained Persons
Prison Overcrowding: Facilities like the Spuž prison face chronic overcrowding and aging infrastructure.
Ill-treatment: The UN Committee Against Torture continues to monitor reports of ill-treatment by police during initial detention, urging the government to ensure all detention areas are equipped with functional CCTV to prevent abuses.