almanac on security sector oversight in the Western Balkans

Montenegro
294
PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL AND OVERSIGHT grade: 2.5
Executive Summary
In the field of parliamentary oversight significant progress has been made in
recent years, and certainly the most important step is the adoption of parliamentary
oversight in the areas of security and defense.
Although effectiveness and implementation of the new Law on Parliamentary
Oversight over Security and Defense are not to be seen in the nearest future,
this law and its effects in the field are going to be considered in this text; in
addition to the activities scrutinized before its adoption, when this area was
regulated by Rules of Procedure and laws on Police, Army, National Security
Agency, etc.
The number of sessions in 2009 and 2010 was the same, but in 2010, the duration
of session significantly extended in working hours, and the number of
agenda items under consideration has increased. The parliamentary committee
has organized several hearings of managerial persons in the security sector.
The new law expanded the framework for control over budgetary matters and
the Committee has met its legal obligations. Only one MP of the Committee for
Security and Defense is also a member of the Committee for financial issues.
There is a need for expertise with regard to the specific budget transparency
and public procurement in the security sector.
In addition to regular activities, such as the presentation of annual reports of
state authorities or consideration of certain draft laws, the committee has: proposed
appointment of a new Director of the National Security Council, actively
participated in the tenth and eleventh Cetinje Parliamentary Forum but the
most public attention was certainly occupied by meetings and hearings related
to the case, “Saric.” Also, the Committee considered a report on the use of
units of the Army of Montenegro in international missions.
Collaboration with other working bodies of the Assembly and administrative
capacity, bearing in mind the diversity of the area covered by the Committee,
are not satisfactory. However, the Committee has demonstrated a commitment
to further training of MPs and employees in professional services, promoting
international cooperation, cooperation with interested organizations from civil
society, etc.
Generally, citizens’ opinion in regard to overall trust in the Parliament has been
on a low level for a long period of time, which also stands for the political
parties.
Constitutional and legal framework for parliamentary scrutiny over the security
sector in Montenegro guarantees basic principles for civilian control of armed
forces. However, there are considerable flaws. All the activities have not been
undertaken and MPs did not use all the powers provided to them by law. Additionally,
the administrative capacities, values of MPs, and public confidence
in parliament are not at satisfactory levels. Therefore, the grade given for
parliamentary oversight cannot be higher than 2.5.