Podgorica, (MINA) - Overcrowding at the Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions (UIKS) is one of the biggest challenges facing that institution, said Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic, noting that plans are underway to expand the capacity of the Investigation Prison.

Bozivic made statement this in Parliament, responding to the question from Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) MP Nikola Rakocevic regarding healthcare for detainees and convicted persons in UIKS.

Bozovic said that it is very important to discuss problems in the work within UIKS and pointed out that one of the main challenges for the management of that institution is the number of people housed there.

According to him, there are several reasons for the overcrowding, including the established practice of imposing detention measures, as well as the efficiency of the judicial proceedings.

“These are the challenges we have and they are also reflected in healthcare”, said Bozovic, adding that solving problems in UIKS is also important in the process of European integration of Montenegro.

He noted that in the previous period, they increased the number of doctors and professionals engaged in UIKS, adding that they are working to overcome challenges in that area as well.

He also announced that the new hospital within the UIKS complex will soon be completed.

When asked by DPS MP Ivan Vukovic about the Law on the National Security Agency (ANB) and the way in which its implementation will be monitored, Bozovic said that neither the previous nor the current law are fully aligned with the European GDPR directive on personal data protection.

Bozovic said that the oversight of the law’s implementation is carried out through several mechanisms, including the courts, but also the legislature.

“The Ministry of Justice did not have the authority to draft the Law on ANB, but will monitor its implementation within its competences”, said Bozovic.

DPS MP Oskar Hutter asked Bozovic to comment on the fact that numerous court rulings in Montenegro, including the one concerning RTCG Director General Boris Raonic, remain unenforced.

Bozovic said that this is one of the numerous challenges related to the enforcement of court decisions.

“The fact is that we have a whole set of open court proceedings, should make us all reconsider how we act towards any body or council, if we see that they are acting contrary to court rulings and the general principles of the rule of law”, said Bozovic.

According to him, communication with the European Commission must be continued in order to consider establishing mechanism to address such practice.

When asked by Huter about the targeting of critical media, Bozovic said that in public life and in Parliament “stronger words are sometimes used”, but that targeting anyone is unacceptable.