Montenegro
AMontenegro has reported information on hate crimes to ODIHR, most recently for the 2019 and 2021 Hate Crime Reports. Montenegro implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in 2014 and updated the training in 2022 following changes to the country's hate crime legislation in 2018. In 2022, ODIHR organized a refresher TAHCLE course. In 2023, Montenegro implemented ODIHR's Prosecutors and Hate Crime Training (PAHCT) training. In 2017, Montenegro adopted measures to allow for the effective prosecution of hate crimes following the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Alkovic v. Montenegro (No. 66895/10). In 2023, Montenegro amended legislation to include public acts provoking or inciting racial and religious hatred (Article 370), as well as special circumstances for sentencing hate crimes (Article 42a).
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 19 | 4 | 623 |
| 2022 | 3 | Not available | 602 |
| 2021 | 7 | - | 5 |
| 2020 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2019 | 31 | - | 3 |
| 2018 | - | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | Not available | Not available | 1 |
| 2016 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2015 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2014 | Not available | Not available | 0 |
| 2013 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2012 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2011 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2010 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| 2009 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
About 2021 Data
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In addition to the police records presented above, one further incident – classified as a misdemeanour – was reported to ODIHR. The above figures may include cases of hate speech, which fall outside of the OSCE's definition of hate crime.
Hate crime recorded by police
The breakdown below shows cases addressed as misdemeanours under Article 19 of Montenegro's Law on Public Order and Peace. According to police records, the relevant offences targeted four members of the LGBTI community, four persons of Roma ethnicity, three persons of Bosniak origin, two persons of Albanian origin, one person of Serbian origin and one church official.
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR recognizes Montenegro's efforts to build the capacity of police to address hate crime, including through ODIHR's TAHCLE programme, as well as the police and judiciary hate crime records provided. However, based on the available information, ODIHR observes that Montenegro has not reported data on the number of prosecuted hate crimes to ODIHR. In addition, ODIHR observes that Montenegro would benefit from raising awareness among and building the capacity of criminal justice officials, especially prosecutors, to address hate crime.
ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States committed to collecting reliable data and statistics in sufficient detail on hate crimes and to reporting such data periodically to ODIHR. Participating States also committed to introducing or further developing professional training and capacity-building activities for law enforcement, prosecution and judicial officials dealing with hate crimes. ODIHR stands ready to support Montenegro in meeting its relevant commitments by providing comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well further resources and tailored capacity-building assistance for police, prosecutors, and the judiciary.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-01 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
|
Show info |
| 2021-02 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
| 2021-03 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
|
Show info |
| 2021-02 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
Anti-Muslim hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-01 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
|
Show info |
| 2021-02 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
| 2021-03 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
|
Show info |
| 2021-02 | Attacks against property | Center for education and research Nahla
OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
Anti-LGBTI hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-03 | Violent attacks against people | OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights
|
Show info |
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime, Gender-based hate crime
The European Union published relevant recommendations in its report from the "Eleventh meeting of the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Council (Podgorica, 14 July 2022)".