Montenegro and Serbia urged to strengthen protections against torture

Human rights organisations have warned that Montenegro still fails to meet international standards for preventing torture and ill‑treatment, despite EU accession requirements. The Human Rights Action (HRA) called for rapid implementation of European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) recommendations, automatic publication of CPT reports, and comprehensive reforms of prison conditions, police investigations and accountability mechanisms. HRA noted some progress, such as 43 new cases opened by prosecutors in early 2026, but said systemic shortcomings remain.

In Serbia, civil‑society groups have demanded that the United Nations launch a fact‑finding mission after numerous alleged incidents of police brutality, including assaults on students, doctors, journalists and other civilians. The statements cited specific cases of excessive force during protests and alleged sexual threats by police officials, and highlighted a lack of effective investigations and prosecutions, with many cases dismissed under amnesty or opportunistic provisions. Both sets of organisations stress that without effective inquiries and sanctions, the legal prohibition of torture remains merely symbolic.