Montenegro Puts Children's Rights First in EU Membership Efforts

by Alice Njoki

Child rights should be at the core of any reform process and the pillar to achieving sustainable development – this was the key message from the conference organized on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Montenegro is making big efforts to protect children’s rights as it works towards joining the European Union (EU). On November 27, 2024, a special conference was held in Podgorica to celebrate 35 years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The event focused on how important it is to make children’s rights a top priority in government plans and policies.

Speakers at the event, including EU Ambassador Johann Sattler and UNICEF representatives, talked about the need to include children’s rights in government strategies. They introduced a plan called the “Pledge to Action,” which asks for enough funding for children’s services and for using the Barnahus model.

“To achieve this, we are working on two main fronts. The first is protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation, including online, as part of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. The second is ensuring free access to healthcare, education, quality meals and adequate housing for all children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Europe. This mechanism is called the EU Child Guarantee,” Ambassador Sattler stated.

The Barnahus model, which means “children’s house” in Icelandic, is a safe place designed to help children who have faced violence or abuse, or who may have witnessed crimes. It brings together different professionals to support children and reduce trauma during legal processes.

By focusing on children’s rights, Montenegro is showing its dedication to the well-being of its young people. This effort also supports its goal of sustainable development as it continues its journey to join the EU.

The EU Ambassador emphasized that investing in children is one of the smartest things a country can do to eliminate extreme poverty and unlock the potential for societal prosperity and economic growth. “This is why the EU supports child rights – both within the EU and in Montenegro,” He concluded.