English

Đukanović in Geneva: Montenegro is faced with multiple attacks

With the adoption of the Law on Freedom of, Montenegro has confirmed that it is a civil state, multi-ethnic democracy and society that wants to be part of the modern European civilization, Mr Milo Đukanović said. Montenegro’s president stresses that his country is, therefore, faced with multiple attacks but he’s sure it will be able to settle this internal issue peacefully.

“We are faced with multiple attacks, from the inside and outside, through an open connection between the church and nationalist non-system actions aimed at destroying legal order and denying civil and multi-ethnic character of the Montenegrin state”, Mr Đukanović pointed out.

However, Montenegro’s stability isn’t in danger, he says.

“Montenegro will settle this issue peacefully and defend the concept in which all citizens and every religious community have equal rights”, Mr Đukanović said.

President reiterates that the new Law reinforces freedom of religious beliefs and regulates legal status of religious communities, guaranteeing constitutional principle of separation of the church from the state.

“The preparation of the adoption procedure took five years. Discussion involved all interested parties, religious communities and relevant international organizations”, Mr Đukanović said.

The new law replaces the law adopted in 1977, during the period of the communist Yugoslavia.

“But, in the preparation phase already, and especially after its adoption, Montenegro was faced with the accusations of one religious community and with brutal media campaign and manipulations that the country is trying to take away church property and change its purpose. All this has its typical Balkan pre-history, but unfortunately, now I don’t have time to acquaint you with that”, Mr Đukanović said.

He pointed out that Montenegro was committed to universal values of modern democracy. Montenegro, president stresses, continuously acts in the direction of protection, improvement and exercise of human rights.

“It does that as a country that regularly reports authorities, openly cooperates with the system of special procedures, strengthens the efficiency of the General periodic review, strengthens inclusion and cooperation with civil society and international partners”, Mr Đukanović said.

Apart from the intense work on the normative aspect, Montenegro also works on the establishment of the framework for tracking progress.

“We really appreciate support of the Office, through which Montenegro develops its mechanism, as a pilot country”, Mr Đukanović said.

Rule of law and fundamental freedoms are priority of Montenegro’s negotiation process.

 

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