An additional session of the working group in charge for drafting a proposal for a law regulating legal gender identity, took place on the 4 and 5 July 2023 in Andrijevica. This activity sought the co-operation between the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro, relevant civil society organisations (CSOs) and the joint European Union and Council of Europe action "Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”. It brought together a diverse group of participants, including different ministries and the Ombudsman Office, as well as the Council of Europe and local CSOs, including SPEKTRA and Juventas, with a common goal: the revision and adjustment of the draft Montenegrin law on Legal Gender Recognition.
The attendees, facilitated by a legal expert, engaged in in-depth discussions on each article of the draft law. Through collaborative efforts, they meticulously reviewed and analysed the existing draft legislation, taking into account insightful comments and recommendations from all participants.
This initiative showcases Montenegro's commitment to upholding human rights with specific legal tools aimed at promoting equality. By ensuring the participation of various stakeholders, including the Ombudsman Office, and incorporating the expertise of legal professionals, Montenegro will advance in aligning its legal framework with European standards and best practices. The law on Legal Gender Recognition will have a significant impact on the lives of individuals of Montenegro, particularly those belonging to gender minorities and other groups affected by the law, since it ensures that such minorities have the opportunity to align legal documentation with their gender identity.
The expertise was supported within the framework of the action “Combating hatred and intolerance in Montenegro”, part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, implemented by the Anti-discrimination Department of the Council of Europe in partnership with the Ombudsperson Office and the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro. As part of this action, work is carried out with partners in Montenegro in line with the 2017 recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance and other relevant European standards, in this case the COE’s Committee of Ministers recommendations on SOGI.
