Protecting Civil Society: Safe Participation to Advance Human Rights

Podgorica, 15 December 2025

The role of civil society in advancing human rights, and the need for its stronger protection and empowerment, was at the heart of an event organized by the United Nations team in Montenegro to mark Human Rights Day 2025. The event, titled “Protecting Civil Society: Safe Participation to Advance Human Rights,” brought together representatives of the Government, state institutions, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and members of the international community.

Opening the event, Minister of Human and Minority Rights Fatmir Gjeka emphasized that protecting civil society and ensuring its safe participation in public life are not only Montenegro’s international obligations, but a fundamental prerequisite for building a society in which human rights are upheld in practice, not only on paper.

“Montenegro must build a system in which critical voices are valued rather than suppressed, where partnerships with civil society are developed rather than simulated, and where institutions strengthen public trust through transparency and accountability,” Minister Gjeka said.

UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Caroline Tissot, highlighted the direct impact of civil society on people’s lives and on the country’s democratic development.

“There is no true democracy without an inclusive and safe civil society. The role of civil society and human rights defenders is essential to making human rights a reality for every person,” said Tissot, reaffirming that the United Nations remains a strong partner in promoting and protecting civic activism.

Drama Studio presented a provocative performance illustrating contrasts between official interpretations of human rights and real-life situations. The performance highlighted various forms of human rights violations, including gender inequality, LGBTI rights violations, and violence against women and children.

Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, Siniša Bjeković, stressed the importance of close cooperation between institutions and civil society.

“Civil society is, and must be, a strategic partner of the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms. The success of our institution is to a great extent the result of the cooperation with civil society organizations,” Bjeković noted.

Speaking on behalf of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, Friederike Wünschmann, Human Rights and Rule of Law Policy Officer, underlined that, while Montenegro benefits from a dynamic civil society, the environment in which civil society organizations operate remains sensitive.

“Safeguarding civic space means ensuring genuine participation in policymaking, transparent public funding, and protection from intimidation and undue pressure,” Wünschmann emphasized.

The programme featured two panel discussions. The first panel named “Civil society participation in public life” examined existing mechanisms and challenges related to the involvement of civil society organizations in policymaking and public decision-making processes. The discussion highlighted perspectives, experiences and recommendations of panellists Ernad Suljević, Minister for Regional Investment Development & Cooperation, Petar Knežević from the NGO Centre for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, Director of the Centre for Children’s Rights Jelena Gluščević, Dragana Božović from the NGO Nova žena and Vladimir Perazić from the NGO National Youth Network.

The second panel, “Safe space for civil society,” focused on security, freedom of action, and the protection of human rights defenders, as well as the responsibility of institutions to ensure an enabling environment for civil society to operate. This panel featured an exchange of views, good practices and recommendations by Siniša Bjeković, Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, Tea Gorjanc Prelević from the NGO Human Rights Action, environmental activist Vuk Vujisić, Radomir Kračković of Montenegro's Media Union and Anjet Lanting, UN Human Rights Adviser.

Through dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the presentation of good practices, participants explored opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between institutions and civil society, while also gaining deeper insight into the current state of civil society in Montenegro. Particular attention was given to recommendations issued by UN human rights mechanisms. In March 2025, the UN Human Rights Committee recommended that Montenegro investigate attacks against civil society organizations and strengthen public participation mechanisms. These recommendations build on the conclusions of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) from 2024, as well as recommendations made by UN Member States during Montenegro’s Universal Periodic Review in 2023.

Human Rights Day is observed annually on 10 December, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly in 1948, a landmark document that laid the foundation for the modern international human rights system worldwide.

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