At the presentation of the Manual on the Prosecution of War Crimes and Support for Witnesses, organised by Human Rights Action (HRA) and TRIAL International, State Prosecutor at the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office Armin Selmanović highlighted the importance of the Manual as a valuable professional contribution to improving the prosecution of war crimes and protecting the rights of victims and witnesses.

In his address, he emphasised that effective prosecution of war crimes is one of the key prerequisites for achieving justice, strengthening citizens’ trust in institutions and addressing the legacy of the past, with regional cooperation and international legal assistance playing a particularly important role in handling these complex cases.

Particular attention was drawn to the need for a sensitive and professional approach to witnesses, especially victims of war trauma and sexual violence, with full respect for their dignity and procedural rights.

It was also emphasised that the State Prosecutor’s Office, in cooperation with the Supreme Court of Montenegro, is continuously working to improve the position of victims, including through the Guidelines for Exercising the Right to Compensation for Damage and forthcoming amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, which will further strengthen victims’ rights.

It was concluded that the recommendations contained in the Manual will provide a sound basis for further professional dialogue and the improvement of practice, with consistent application of the existing legislative framework, so that justice, legality and the protection of human rights can be fully realised.