Head of OSCE Mission encourages inclusion of anti-discrimination measures in Montenegro's new Constitution

BECICI, 20 April 2007 - Montenegro's new Constitution would benefit from including anti-discrimination measures that would in turn form a basis for legislation in this area, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, said today at an OSCE-supported seminar.

"Tolerance is a concept that has no alternatives. It has always to be promoted without regard to how conducive the ambience may be," Badescu said. "Prohibition of discrimination is one of the conditions for enjoying basic individual rights."

The two-day seminar brings together presidents of courts, judges, representatives of ministries, prosecutors' offices and the Ombudsperson's office, lawyers and people from civil society. The event, which starts today, aims to highlight the importance of constitutional guarantees on equal treatment and anti-discrimination laws based on European standards.

The seminar, held in the small coastal town of Becici, includes discussions on equal opportunities for disabled persons and on the creation of a legal framework that protects and upholds diversity.

The OSCE Mission organized the seminar in co-operation with the non-governmental organization Centre for Democracy and Human Rights and the London-based Advice on Individual Rights in Europe Centre.