OSCE/ODIHR concerned about security of witness in high-profile trafficking case in Montenegro

WARSAW, 13 December 2002 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today expressed its concern about the security of the main witness in a high-profile anti-trafficking case in Montenegro. The testimony of the witness, a Moldovan citizen who was trafficked to Montenegro, led to the arrest of Montenegro's Deputy State Prosecutor and a number of other Montenegrin citizens on charges of trafficking in human beings.

"We welcome that the Montenegrin authorities are actively investigating this case, and we hope that the rigorous actions taken to date will continue to receive the full support of the Ministry of Interior until the case is brought to a just conclusion ", said Steven Wagenseil, the ODIHR's Acting Director. "However, we are very concerned about reports that the witness may be being intimidated by the way the case is being handled."

The ODIHR called on the court to take into account the ordeal the witness went through and her present physical and mental condition when asking her to testify or identify the alleged perpetrators.

The ODIHR will send a witness protection expert to Podgorica next week to assist the Montenegrin authorities, including the national anti-trafficking co-ordinator, police and non-governmental organizations with ensuring the witness' security and the application of human rights standards during the entire investigation process.