The Guidelines on Compensation for Victims in Criminal Proceedings represent an important step forward in judicial reform and in the advancement of legal standards in the work of prosecution offices and courts. Their importance also lies in the fact that they anticipate forthcoming amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, which, for the first time, should recognise victims as subjects of criminal proceedings.

This was stated by Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković in his opening address at the training session “Improving Practice in Proceedings for Compensation to Victims of Criminal Offences”, held in Podgorica and organised by the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecutor’s Office, with the support of the Council of Europe. The training was organised within the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, through the project “Strengthening Accountability in the Judicial System and Improving Victims’ Rights in Montenegro.”

Marković stressed that the Guidelines form part of a strategic approach to improving the functioning of the justice system, which means that the aim of criminal proceedings is not merely to conclude the proceedings, but to achieve a fair and just outcome in which the victim of a criminal offence is at the centre.

“Their value will not be measured solely by their adoption, but by their consistent application in practice. Training sessions such as this provide an opportunity to resolve any potential dilemmas and harmonise the application of the Guidelines, so that their effects can be visible in the day-to-day work of judicial institutions,” Marković said.

He emphasised that the application of the Guidelines should contribute to changing approaches and strengthening awareness of the position and rights of victims, including their right to effective compensation.

“In this way, we are laying the foundations for a fairer and more equitable system of victim protection and strengthening citizens’ trust in the justice system,” Marković concluded.

At the opening, the participants were also addressed by President of the Supreme Court of Montenegro Valentina Pavličić, President of the Governing Board of the Centre for Training in the Judiciary and State Prosecutor’s Office Ljiljana Šoškić, and Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica Lejla Dervišagić.