“Application of Alternative Detention Measures in the context of Migration”
The Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM) is implementing the project “For More Effective Policies for Protection of Migrants in Montenegro” with the support of Group 484 within the project Security for People and Borders – Combating Smuggling Migrants in the Western Balkans, financed by the EU through the EC.
Within the project, a two-day Academy entitled “Application of Alternative Measures of Detention in the context of Migration” was held with the participants being representatives of: the Red Cross, the Directorate for Asylum, the Border Police Sector of the Police Administration, the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja, the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Bijelo Polje, the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Rožaje, the Directorate for Reception of the Foreigners Seeking International Protection, and the Judicial and Prosecutor’s Training Center. Academy was held between 25th and 26th of October 2021 in Hotel Bianca, in Kolašin. The aim of the Academy is to contribute to a greater and more humane approach to migration management and to improve the balance between the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants on one hand and the security at the borders of Montenegro on the other, through building of capacities of state officials. Lecturers at the Academy were Bojan Bugarin – the Executive Director of NGO “Forum for Euro-Atlantic Perspectives” and Nerma Dobardžić Deputy of the Ombudsman for the field for protection against discrimination, vulnerable groups, and gender equality.
Academy contributed to:
- better understanding amongst the participants with regards to the application of alternative (defined in Montenegrin society as “milder”) measures for detention of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers;
- introduction of the participants to the application of article 5 of the European Convention for Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms – right to freedom and security in the context of migratory processes;
- adoption of new knowledge and skills on acting towards migrants (especially minors, unaccompanied children, women (including pregnant women, victims of violence, perpetrators of criminal offences, and persons with disability)), as well as on the manner of applying detention measures towards these persons;
- strengthening of a multi-sector approach, through connection of participants from different professional orientations dealing with migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
