Head of OSCE Mission in Montenegro stresses importance of human rights-based approaches in working with migrants and refugees

Responses by states to the arrival of migrants and refugees in the Western Balkans was the focus of a conference organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the European Union Delegation to Montenegro, the Ombudsperson’s Office and the NGO Civic Alliance on 10 December 2015 in Podgorica to mark International Human Rights Day.

“We must all ensure the protection of human rights and respect for human dignity of those fleeing war, poverty, discrimination and abuse,” said Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro Janina Hrebičkova, as she opened the conference for representatives of the Government, state institutions, the diplomatic community, civil society, academia and media.

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković said that the experience of Montenegro in working with refugees during the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and afterwards had prepared the country for new challenges. “We have not waited for these challenges to come,” he said, noting that the Government in November 2015 adopted an action plan in dealing with a possible influx of migrants and refugees.

Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Mitja Drobnič said that Europe is facing the most severe refugee crisis since World War II. “It is estimated that, since the end of spring this year, more than 200,000 migrants have passed through the Western Balkans,” he said.

Ombudsperson Šućko Baković, noted that the attitude towards the refugees has to be humane. “Terrorism and other problems related to security must not diminish the respect for human rights, including the rights of migrants and refugees.”

Also addressing the opening session of the conference were representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Mustafa Server Caylan, and law professor and member of the United Nations Committee for Human Rights Ivana Jelić.