Council of Europe Highlights Concerns Over Detention Conditions in Montenegro

The Council of Europe has released preliminary observations regarding the treatment of detainees in Montenegro, following a visit conducted by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) from November 19 to 27, 2025. The findings, shared by Human Rights Action (HRA), raise significant concerns about the conditions in which detainees are held across various facilities.

During the CPT’s visit, the committee examined the treatment and living conditions of individuals in detention, including prisons, juvenile detention centers, psychiatric hospitals, and social welfare institutions. The Montenegrin authorities provided a letter in response to the CPT’s observations, which was published alongside the preliminary findings.

The CPT’s preliminary observations are particularly critical of the conditions faced by detainees, who are reportedly subjected to poor treatment and live in unacceptable environments. Many detainees spend up to 23 hours a day confined in cells, with some allocated as little as 2.5 square meters of living space per person. Systemic issues regarding the application of pre-trial detention persist, with prisoners comprising 56% of the total prison population. The delegation also spoke with several individuals who have spent over six years in pre-trial detention.

Significant restrictions remain in place for detainees, leading to diminished contact with the outside world and minimal opportunities for meaningful activities or work. Basic necessities essential for a dignified life, such as toilet paper, hygiene products, and bedding, are not provided consistently by authorities, forcing inmates to rely on their families for these essential supplies. Despite repeated recommendations from the CPT over the years, no measures have been taken to improve the dire situation of detainees.

The situation in the Psychiatric Hospital Dobrota has not improved since the CPT’s previous visit in 2017. Overcrowding remains a critical issue, with many patients still sleeping on mattresses on the floor. The facility continues to accommodate various categories of patients, including forensic patients and those deemed “social patients” who do not require further hospitalization, along with children, despite the opening of a children’s psychiatric department at the Clinical Centre of Montenegro.

In terms of social welfare homes, the CPT noted some improvements since its last visit, particularly at the Komanski Most Institute. However, concerns persist regarding the insufficient number of caregivers and the challenges faced in working with distressed users, especially those with severe forms of autism spectrum disorders, which require specialized skills and training.

In a letter dated January 22, 2026, the Montenegrin authorities responded to various questions raised by the CPT delegation. The complete report on the November 2025 visit will be presented to Montenegrin authorities in July 2026. The preliminary observations and the government’s response were released with the consent of the Montenegrin authorities, as stated in the announcement from HRA.

These findings underline the pressing need for the Montenegrin government to address the critical human rights issues within its detention facilities, ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with international standards.