On 25-26 March, the Department for the Execution of Judgments, with the help of the Agent of Montenegro before the European Court, carried out a mission to Podgorica to discuss cases pending under the supervision of the Committee of Ministers and to raise awareness of the work, practice and procedures of the Committee of Ministers and the Department.
The delegation met with the Minister of Justice of Montenegro, to discuss notably the implementation of judgments concerning non-enforcement of domestic judicial decisions against socially/state-owned companies (Dedić and Others group), ahead of the examination of this group at the Committee’s 1531st Human Rights meeting (10-12 June 2025). The Minister of Justice informed the delegation about the timely payment of just satisfaction to all the applicants affected by the judgments from this group (more than 600 individuals), and on the measures already taken to ensure the rapid payment of debts towards all other former employees of the same company in a similar situation as the applicants.
Separate meetings were held with the Supreme State Prosecutor, the High State Prosecutor, the Head of the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office and some of his team, as well as the Director of Police Administration, to discuss the measures taken to respond to both procedural and substantive aspects of the violations related to ill-treatment by police officers (Siništaj and Others group). The authorities provided detailed information about measures undertaken or planned to improve the speed and effectiveness of investigations as well as safeguards against torture and ill-treatment for those arrested, in detention or being questioned by the police.
The delegation also had separate meetings with the Presidents and judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Court, and a judge of the Appellate Court of Montenegro. The discussions focused on the implementation of judgments concerning a violation of the applicant’s right to liberty in pre-trial detention (Bigović), the inconsistent practice of domestic courts in certain compensation proceedings (Bagoje), the non-enforcement of domestic decisions on removal of unlawful constructions (Vlahović), and the excessive length of proceedings before the Constitutional Court (Siništaj). With respect to the last issue the authorities provided detailed information on measures undertaken to overcome the issues identified, including to ensure the finalisation of backlog cases older than three years, and their plan for processing all older cases and new applications.
Lastly the delegation met with the President of the Steering Committee of the Centre for Training in Judiciary and State Prosecution, the Protector of the Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsman), as well as representatives of civil society. These exchanges focused on the practice and procedures of the Committee and the Department, the potential role they can play in the execution process as well as on training and awareness raising regarding Convention standards with the relevant stakeholders.
