Ahead of 26 June – the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) emphasises that the prohibition of torture is one of the fundamental and absolute values of modern democracies and human rights. No circumstance, security challenge, or institutional interest can ever justify torture, or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The way a state treats persons deprived of their liberty, patients in psychiatric institutions, and other vulnerable groups remains one of the most important indicators of its democratic maturity and genuine commitment to human rights.
This day is not only an opportunity to express solidarity with victims but also a reminder of the state’s obligation to ensure effective protection against torture, conduct prompt and thorough investigations into all allegations of abuse, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide full rehabilitation to victims. The absence of accountability for perpetrators, coupled with inadequate protection and support for victims, undermines public trust in institutions and weakens the foundations of the rule of law.
The preliminary observations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) following its visit to Montenegro in November 2025 point to serious concerns regarding the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty. The CPT found that detainees are exposed to ill-treatment and unacceptable living conditions, often spending up to 23 hours per day confined to their cells, while some are provided with as little as 2.5 m² of living space per person. Particularly alarming is the fact that pre-trial detainees account for as much as 56% of the total prison population, and that some individuals have spent more than six years in pre-trial detention.
The Committee also highlighted the long-standing neglect of detainees’ basic needs, noting that they continue to depend on their families for essential items such as toilet paper, hygiene products, and bedding, despite years of recommendations aimed at improving their conditions.
Additional concern arises from the situation at the Dobrota Psychiatric Hospital, where the problem of overcrowding remains unresolved even eight years after the CPT’s previous visit. A significant number of patients continue to sleep on mattresses placed on the floor, while the institution still accommodates different categories of users, including forensic and social care patients, as well as children.
Although certain improvements have been recorded within social welfare institutions, particularly at the Komanski Most Institution, the CPT pointed to an insufficient number of professional staff and the need for additional training of employees working with beneficiaries who require intensive support.
These findings serve as a serious warning that the dignity and rights of persons under the care of the state must never be neglected. A society committed to the rule of law must ensure humane living conditions in all closed institutions, effective safeguards against abuse, and full accountability for every form of torture or inhuman treatment.
On this day, we also remember all victims of grave human rights violations committed during the wars of the 1990s. Their suffering reminds us that the fight against torture, inhuman treatment, and impunity is not merely a matter of confronting the past, but a lasting obligation of institutions and society as a whole.
Support for victims of torture cannot be reduced to symbolic commemorations. It requires truth, justice, accountability, and comprehensive support for victims, as well as institutions capable of recognising, preventing, and sanctioning all forms of abuse. The fight against torture in Montenegro cannot be measured by the number of standards and strategies adopted, but by the willingness of the state to implement them consistently in practice. This includes not only ensuring access to justice for victims of torture, but also providing the conditions necessary for their rehabilitation, social reintegration, and the full enjoyment of all rights to which they are entitled.
CCE therefore calls on the competent institutions to finally demonstrate their commitment to the principle of zero tolerance for torture through concrete results – effective investigations, improved conditions in closed institutions, and the consistent protection of the dignity of every individual under the care of the state.
Alma Hećo, Programme Assistant