Public discussion was attended by Ms. Branka Tanasijević, MA, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture and Sport as well and Ms. Nada Drobnjak, the Chairwoman of the Gender Equality Committee, as well as the representatives of state bodies, institution of Ombudsman of Montenegro and NGOs. Mr. Bastian Winkel, project coordinator for the LGBT Unit of the Council of Europe.

Introductory presentations regarding the Draft Strategy for the advancement of the position of the LGBT population 2013-2018 were made by the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Dr. Suad Numanovic, adviser of the Prime Minister for Human Rights and coordinator of the Working Group for the Strategy, Mr. Jovan Kojičić, PhD and independent expert and member of the working group for Strategy, Mr. Aleksandar Saša Zeković, MA.

It was emphasized that the Draft Strategy emerged as a product of wide consultation process which began in November 2011 with all relevant stakeholders, NGOs and government bodies.

General goal of the Strategy on the Improvement the Quality of Life of LGBT population 2013 – 2018 is the improvement of overall social position of LGBT population in Montenegro and their better inclusion into Montenegrin society. This strategy defines the objectives, the scope and the measures necessary for its full implementation. The Strategy creates good preconditions for the implementation of policies to protect human rights of LGBT population in Montenegro, which includes concrete application of international and legal and constitutional and legal internationally-based standards governing the exercise of basic rights.

Equality before the law and equality of all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity, needs to be understood in the society of Montenegro. Through defining of the LGBT policy the commitment that Montenegro has been based on the principles of liberty, democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was confirmed. The commitment of policy of continuous improvement of human rights and freedoms, but also the commitment that all social entities actively contribute to a sustainable society establishing a culture of human rights in Montenegro was also confirmed.

The strategy is divided into areas that represent important spheres of social life in which interventions are necessary: the institutional and legal framework, followed by education as an important factor in shaping the attitudes of individuals and key factors for the development of both individuals and society; the health care by improving the health of members LGBT community, without discrimination and prejudice; area of media, culture, sports, arts and other areas which will establish a new socio - cultural attitude towards LGBT people in Montenegro.

It was concluded that all of the gathered comments, suggestions and information from the Public Discussion should be considered by the Working Group of the Council for protection from discrimination of the Strategy, in order to obtain the best quality of the document, which should be adopted by the   Government by the end of March 2013.