A case of human trafficking in Podgorica (Montenegro), where a 28-year old Moldovan national surrendered herself to police authorities in November 2002, has made too many media headlines, while the proceedings of the judiciary have not made progress, Konrad concluded after several weeks of heated exchanges. In her capacity as Chair of the Stability Pact’s Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, Helga Konrad recalled that Montenegro, along with all South Eastern European countries, has committed itself to effectively fight human trafficking. Apart from safeguarding the security of victims, this includes the rigorous dismantling of criminal networks and the prosecution of traffickers and their collaborators.

Therefore, Konrad calls on the Montenegrin authorities, especially the judiciary, “ to do no more and no less than putting into practice these commitments undersigned by Montenegro”. Konrad wants a shift from the media to the courthouse: “I call upon all those responsible in Montenegro to institute court proceedings in the given case of human trafficking. Only a fair court trial can bring the truth to light. Any comments, allegations or even threats on the part of government officials, party representatives etc. are no substitute for a fair trial. They only intimidate and undermine the independence of the judiciary. What we expect is, that no pressure of any kind is brought to bear on the independent judiciary and that they can start to work.”

Helga Konrad welcomed that Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic has pledged his personal support to the rigorous prosecution of the case.

To recall the facts:

· In November 2002, after hiding for one month in a safe place within Montenegro, a trafficked woman turned for help to the Montenegrin police, who transferred her to a shelter in Podgorica. An investigation launched by the Ministry of the Interior led to the arrest of several persons, among them the State Deputy Prosecutor. The victim/witness gave extensive testimony to the investigating judge (according to her statement and that of the shelter management, she was questioned over a period of 5 to 6 weeks, sometimes up to 8 hours per day). It was claimed that this preliminary investigation had to be so extensive and so thorough in order to establish every single detail for the criminal proceedings.

· Once the investigation was declared finished by the judge, the victim/witness was allowed to leave the country (25 January 2003). She has left Montenegro for urgent medical treatment. Under the Tirana Statement of granting temporary residence to victims of trafficking (signed by Montenegro at the 3rd Regional Ministerial Forum of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, 11 December 2002 in Tirana), victims cannot be forced to stay in the country.

· In the meantime, the case has been referred to a court of higher instance. Because of an alleged formal defect, all suspects have been released.

For further questions, please contact Dr Helga Konrad,

mobile +43 (664) 54 59 827.