Podgorica, (MINA) – Montenegro still does not provide protection against torture and other forms of ill treatment in accordance with international standards, the Human Rights Action (HRA) warned and called on competent institutions to take decisive measures to improve protection against torture.

HRA issued this statement on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, observed by the United Nations every June 26 since 1997.

The NGO said that investigations into allegations of abuse are often ineffective, which creates an impression of impunity, discourages victims from reporting violence and increases the risk of its repeated violations.

They added that the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) have not yet been implemented.

“HRA calls on competent institutions to take decisive measures this year to improve protection against torture and other forms of ill-treatment, to approve the automatic publication of CPT reports, as well as to improve the protection of victims’ rights”, the press release reads.