On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, whose aim is to end impunity for these grave crimes and provide support to victims, Human Rights Action (HRA) warns that Montenegro is facing the prosecution of several cases of wartime sexual violence from the wars of the 1990s. In addition to two proceedings currently underway, the Special State Prosecutor’s Office holds documentation on more than 15 Montenegrin citizens suspected of war crimes that also include sexual violence, indicating that several trials could take place in the coming period. Victims and perpetrators are still among us, and war crimes are not subject to statutes of limitation. It is therefore necessary to accelerate investigations, improve support for victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings, and ensure effective reparations.

HRA remains available to all those who wish to report war crimes involving sexual violence or contribute to their prosecution.

HRA specifically calls on:

– the Special State Prosecutor’s Office to intensify investigations into war crimes cases involving allegations of sexual violence and ensure full protection of witnesses;

– the courts to decide on victims’ compensation claims within criminal proceedings, in order to avoid their further victimization and retraumatization;

– judicial institutions to improve their capacity to handle war crimes cases, including by establishing specialized services to support victims and witnesses, ensuring appropriate premises for hearings under protective measures, and creating conditions that enable victims to participate in proceedings with dignity;

– the Government of Montenegro to implement, without delay, legal reforms that will enable victims to access justice more effectively, establish a compensation fund, and finally ensure the relocation of the Special State Prosecutor’s Office to adequate premises.