OGP statement on IRM researcher in Montenegro

Date: Tuesday, 11th November, 2014

The Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee* is deeply concerned about recent personal attacks on Ms. Vanja Calovic, the Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM)The Independent Reporting Mechanism (IRM) is OGP’s accountability arm and the main means of tracking progress in participating countries. The IRM provides independent, evidence-based, and objective ... researcher in Montenegro. Montenegro is a participating country in OGP, and the attacks are linked to Ms. Calovic’s work on promoting more open, transparent and accountable governance in Montenegro. Alongside the International Expert Panel*, we would like to express our solidarity with Ms. Calovic, who is making a critical contribution to OGP through her work reporting on Montenegro’s progress in implementing its OGP National Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen....

We are in contact with the Government of Montenegro who have informed us that the relevant Montenegrin institutions are taking steps to address this issue. We encourage swift action to ensure that Ms. Calovic’s ability to fulfil her role as an IRM researcher and a member of civil society is protected.

*The OGP Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru... is comprised of 11 Governments and 11 Civil Society leaders.

*The International Expert Panel is an independent body with a mandate to assure the quality of reporting and the ability of IRM researchers to carry out their work. Their statement on the situation can be read here: http://www.opengovpartnership.org/blog/independent-reporting-mechanism/2014/10/31/ogp-international-expert-panel-statement-attacks