On final day of the Winter Session, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe discussed topics: “Witness protection as an indispensable tool in the fight against organised crime and terrorism in Europe“ and “Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities“.

Parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe unanimously assess that people who stand up for truth and justice must be provided with reliable and long-term protection, including legal, psychological as well as physical support both before and after any trial. The Resolution emphasises that witnesses may be particularly vulnerable when it comes to perceived or real threats and deterrence coming by perpetrators or persons close to them, especially in cases of organised crime and terrorism.  Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe thinks that further steps in the field of witness protection should be taken, by establishing new mechanisms or by re-establishing the current ones, by providing adequate financial and human resources to bodies dealing with witness protection, reviewing rules on reducing sentences or granting immunity from prosecution, in order to provide greater incentives for associates of judicial bodies.

Speaking on Equality and inclusion for people with disabilities, parliamentarians assess that inclusion for people with disabilities is rarely a priority of national policies and that people with disabilities are often invisible to the rest of the citizens. Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe voices concern about the violence against people with disabilities, in particular women and children, recommending that disability should be mainstreamed in national policies against violence. The Assembly concludes that member states should take measures to encourage access to employment and protection against discrimination while recruiting and during their work careers. Additionally, the Assembly calls member states to discontinue the practise of accommodating persons with disabilities in special institutions and to develop the system of alternative care and accommodation for persons with disabilities. The Parliament recommends the Committee of Ministers to assess the Council of Europe Action Plan 2006-2015 and define a new road map on this basis.

Montenegrin Delegation at the Winter Session is composed of: Mr Predrag Sekulić, Head of Delegation, and members: Ms Draginja Vuksanović, Mr Goran Tuponja, Mr Damir Šehović and Ms Snežana Jonica.