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2019–2020 clerical protests in Montenegro

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In February 2019, protests began in Montenegro against President Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister Duško Marković, and the government led by the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), which has been in power since 1991.[1]

As of late December 2019 another wave of protest started against the newly adopted controversial religion law ("Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Legal Status of Religious Communities") which de-jure transfers the ownership of church buildings and estates from the Serbian Orthodox Church to the Montenegrin state.

Background

2019 Montenegrin protests
Protest hashtag meaning "Resist!"
Date2 February – 30 September 2019
Location
Mostly in Podgorica, Montenegro
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance
Resulted inProtests failed
Parties
Lead figures

Allegations of corruption

In 2015, the investigative journalists' network OCCRP named Montenegro's long-time president and Prime Minister Milo Đukanović "Person of the Year in Organized Crime";[3] five years prior the British daily The Independent placed him on a list of the world's top 20 richest politicians.[4] Đukanović denies most of the claims about his wealth. In 2016, Vice President Svetozar Marović of Đukanović's Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) was arrested in connection to a long-running corruption case concerning his hometown of Budva; the Montenegrin prosecutor's office labeled him as "head of Budva criminal group," which he later admitted in court.[5]

The "Atlas" and "Envelope" affairs

In mid-January, a video clip from 2016 surfaced in which Đukanović[which?] former ally, businessman Duško Knežević, chairman of the Montenegro-based Atlas Group, appeared to hand the Mayor of Podgorica and high-ranked DPS member, Slavoljub Stijepović, an envelope containing what Knežević later said was $97,000, to fund a Democratic Party of Socialists parliamentary election campaign.[6] After fleeing to London, Knežević told the media he had been providing such unreported money to the DPS for the past 25 years.[7] Another video Knežević released in February showed a senior Montenegrin Central Bank official asking for a bribe for not sending inspectors into one of Knežević's banks.[8] He has also released documents claiming proof that he helped finance Đukanović's lavish travels abroad and his personal expenses.

Assault on journalist Olivera Lakić

In early May 2018 Olivera Lakić, an investigative journalist from the Montenegrin daily newspaper Vijesti, was shot and wounded in front of her house in Podgorica after she published a series of articles about allegedly corrupt businesses involving top state officials and their families.[9] The identity of the shooter is still unknown.[10]

Accusations of electoral fraud

Main article: 2016 Montenegrin parliamentary election

All 39 opposition MPs (out of 81 in total) are boycotting Parliament since the constitution of its current convocation in December 2016, due to claims of electoral fraud at the 2016 parliamentary elections. They are demanding snap elections and reform of electoral laws. The largest opposition subject, Democratic Front (DF), decided to end the boycott and return to parliament in December 2017, as did newly formed United Montenegro (UGC).[11] The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the DEMOS both decided to end the boycott and return to parliament, after poor results in May 2018 local elections, as did Socialist People's Party (SNP) leaving Democratic Montenegro (DCG) and United Reform Action (URA), who remained in the boycott with the same demands.[12]

Anti-corruption protests

Protests started after the revelation of footage and documents that appear to implicate top officials in obtaining suspicious funds for the Đukanović' party. The demonstrations were organized by newly-formed 97,000 - Odupri se! (97,000 - Resist!) civic group,[13] an informal group of intellectuals, academics, NGO activists and journalists[14] and supported from Montenegrin parliamentary opposition parties: Democratic Montenegro, United Reform Action, DEMOS, Socialist People's Party, Social Democratic Party, United Montenegro, as well as Democratic Front alliance (all 39 opposition MPs, out of 81 in total)[15][16] and newly-formed extra-parliamentary parties such as the populist True Montenegro, the liberal the Montenegrin and the left-wing New Left. They demanded that the government fold for the formation of a technical government, on the grounds that the conditions for free and transparent elections are not in place, but also for the resignation of President Đukanovic and the chief prosecutor for organized crime, among other people. The leader and the most notable figure of the protests was Džemal Perović, a civic activist, former MP of the Liberal Alliance.

The political backgrounds of protesters and organisers are diverse, with both left-wing, liberal, moderate, and right-wing factions voicing opposition to the government. As support to the main protests in Podgorica, political parties Democrats, Demos and the Montenegrin organized a series of separate minor protests led by its leaders Aleksa Bečić, Miodrag Lekić and Vladimir Pavićević in other Montenegrin settlements, under the slogan "He is done, don't be afraid!".[17] On 30 March, all 39 opposition MPs in the 81-seat parliament signed “Agreement for the Future”, proposed by the protest organizers a week before, pledging unity in the fight against the 30-year rule of Đukanović's party.[18] Đukanović, Marković, and other prominent ruling party representatives denied that the country was going through a political crisis, accusing protesters of being financed and organized by the opposition parties and businessman Duško Knežević and that their goal was to destabilize the country. Organizers reject any connection with Knežević, considering him as part of the corrupt Montenegrin system. In mid-April 2019 after he stopped supporting the protests and its organizers, Knežević, in absentia formed his own civic group named "To freedom!", announcing parallel anti-government protests.

Demands

Organizers accuse President Milo Đukanović of presiding over poverty, a loss of human rights and media freedom, partocracy and systematic corruption. The organizers' main demands are his resignation, but also of Prime Minister Duško Marković and his cabinet, to form a technical government that would prepare the conditions for free and transparent elections. They seek the resignation also of the State Prosecutor Ivica Stanković, and the chief prosecutor for organized crime Milivoje Katnić, accusing both of ignoring evidence and not prosecuting manifest corruption in the ranks of Đukanović's inner circle.[19] Protesters later demanded irrevocable resignations of the Montenegrin state-owned broadcaster, its council and the director general, accusing them of partiality and ruling-party propaganda.[20][21]

Electoral laws reform Board

In August 2019 the opposition Democratic Montenegro and United Reform Action parties, although initially boycotted, both decided to participate in the future work of the board for electoral system reform, following the intervention of the European Union Delegation in Montenegro and European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, in order to create conditions for holding fair and free elections in 2020.[22][23][24]

After the Democratic Montenegro (Democrats) joined the Board, the right-wing Democratic Front alliance decides to quit, accusing the Democrats of betraying opposition interests.[25]

Board eventually failed at the end of December 2019, after the Democrats left the board sessions in the protest to passing the controversial religious law by the Parliament of Montenegro, accusing the ruling party of inciting ethnic hatred and unrest.[26]

Religion law and Clerical protests

2019–20 Clerical protests in Montenegro
Date24 December 2019 – present
Location
Montenegro
Caused by
Goals
MethodsDemonstrations, riot, civil disobedience, civil resistance
Resulted inOngoing
Parties
Lead figures
Further information: Freedom of religion in Montenegro

As of late December 2019, the newly proclaimed religion law ("Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Legal Status of Religious Communities") which de-jure transfers the ownership of church buildings and estates from the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) to the Montenegrin state,[28][29] sparked a series of massive protests followed with road blockages[30][31][32] which continued to January 2020.[33][34][35][36][37] Eighteen members of the parliament (opposition Democratic Front MPs) were arrested prior to the voting, under the charge for violently disrupting the vote.[38][39] Some church officials were attacked by the police[40][41] and a number of journalists, opposition activists and protesting citizens were arrested.[42][43][44]

On 29 December 2019 Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro expelled President of Montenegro Đukanović and Government coalition MPs and officials for passing religious law.[45]

Mass demonstrations continued into January and February 2020[46] as peaceful protest walks, mostly organised by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church in a number of Montenegrin municipalities. During peaceful protests of hundreds of thousands citizens in early 2020, more cases of police abuse of office and violence against protesting citizens and political activists were reported, several opposition activists and journalists were also arrested.[47][48]

Montenegrin government and ruling Democratic Party of Socialists officials, including president Milo Đukanović and members of the current Cabinet of Montenegro blamed the Belgrade-based media and Government of Serbia for the current political crisis, destabilization and unrest across the country, claiming that the ongoing Church protests actually are not against the disputed law but against Montenegrin statehood and independence. Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro categorically rejects that allegations.[49] This is the biggest protest in history of Montenegro. On Sunday 02.02.2020. on the streets of all big cities in Montenegro, there was near 200.000 citizen.

Serbian reactions

Foreign Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić said the Montenegrin government should discuss the controversial Religious Law with its citizens and called on Serbian citizens of Montenegrin descent to publically state their views on the recent developments in Montenegro, saying that people who support Montenegrin Government should have their Serbian citizenship reviewed.[50]

Following mass protests by Serbian Orthodox Church and ethnic Serbs in Montenegro agitation against the law has spread to neighbouring Serbia.

On 2 January 2020, several thousand fans of the Red Star Belgrade marched to the Montenegrin embassy in Belgrade to support the protests in Montenegro against the law, setting off fireworks that partially burned the flag of Montenegro outside the embassy building. Several Serbian far-right organisations also joined the rally. Although the event was announced, the embassy was allegedly left unguarded by the Serbian police, with only undercover security units present, which sparked criticism from Montenegro.[51][52][53] President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić denied these claims and stated that the embassy was well-guarded[54] and Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the vandalism and stated that the Montenegrin government is trying to shift the blame for ongoing crisis on Serbia.[55]

Peaceful protest against the controversial Religious Law took place in Belgrade,[56] Novi Sad,[57] Kragujevac,[58] Valjevo[59] and a number of other cities in Serbia.

See also

References

  1. ^ Montenegrins march demanding government resignation, Abc news
  2. ^ Perović: Ulica je jedina institucija, Monitor
  3. ^ OCCRP announces 2015 Organized Crime and Corruption ‘Person of the Year’ Award, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project.
  4. ^ Djukanovic Ranked as ’20th Richest World Leader’, Balkaninsight
  5. ^ Svetozar Marovic failed to pay the fine, CdM
  6. ^ Objavljen snimak: Knežević uručio kovertu Stijepoviću, Antena M
  7. ^ Knežević protiv Đukanovića i 'otimanja poslova', Radio Slobodna Evropa
  8. ^ Novi snimak Kneževića - transkript razgovora sa Miloševićem, Vijesti
  9. ^ Ranjena novinarka "Vijesti" Olivera Lakić, Vijesti
  10. ^ Traže se naručioci ranjavanja novinarke, Vijesti
  11. ^ DF prekida bojkot, u Skupštinu se vraća i UCG, Al Jazeera
  12. ^ Demokrate i URA poručili DF-u: Prihvatićemo inicijativu, ako trajno napustite Skupštinu i Odbor, Vijesti
  13. ^ 97,000 - Odupri se!: Sjutra protest ispred VDT, In4s
  14. ^ Akademska mreža podržala proteste: Cilj je smjena režima ogrezlog u korupciji i nasilju, Vijesti
  15. ^ Opozicija ponudila pomoć oko protesta, Vijesti
  16. ^ Opozicija jedinstvena na mrežama: Svi na protest ispred Tužilaštva, Vijesti
  17. ^ GOTOV JE – Protestni skup u Zeti – NE BOJ SE, demokrate.me
  18. ^ Potpisan Sporazum o budućnosti, opozicionari traže ostavke zvaničnika, Kurir
  19. ^ Zahtjevi organizatora protesta: Ostavke Đukanovića, Stankovića, Katnića, Vijesti
  20. ^ Uprkos orkanskom vetru hiljade ljudi na protestu u Podgorici, Danas
  21. ^ Sa protesta u Podgorici zatražene neopozive ostavke Savjeta i generalnog direktora RTCG, CdM
  22. ^ Plan u interesu građana Crne Gore, RTCG
  23. ^ Han i Kemp: Dobre vijesti iz Crne Gore, oči sada uprte u implementaciju
  24. ^ Nakon posredovanja Orava Demokrate ipak ulaze u Odbor, CdM
  25. ^ DF: Formalno uspostavljena koalicija Demokrata i DPS-a, Vijesti
  26. ^ DEMOKRATE NAPUSTILE ODBOR: Povući iz procedure zakon koji izaziva međunacionalnu mržnju
  27. ^ Montenegro's parliament approves religion law despite protests, Reuters
  28. ^ Reuters (2019-12-26). "Serbs Protest in Montenegro Ahead of Vote on Religious Law". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-05. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  29. ^ "Montenegro's Attack on Church Property Will Create Lawless Society". Balkan Insight. 2019-06-14. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  30. ^ "Montenegro Adopts Law on Religious Rights Amid Protests by pro-Serbs". Voice of America. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  31. ^ "Protesti u Crnoj Gori: Građani Berana blokirali put, policija upotrebila suzavac". www.021.rs. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  32. ^ Vijesti, Srna. "NEZADOVOLJSTVO U CRNOJ GORI Širom zemlje građani protestuju zbog spornog Zakona, bačen suzavac u Podgorici, policajac pogođen kamenom u glavu". Blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  33. ^ Press, The Associated (2020-01-01). "Several Thousand Protest Church Bill in Montenegro". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  34. ^ "Thousands at protest headed by Bishop Amfilohije in Montenegrin capital". N1 Srbija (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  35. ^ "'Thousands will regret Vucic's absence in Montenegro'". N1 Srbija (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  36. ^ "It's not oppression if a 'pro-Western democrat' does it? Montenegro's 'religious freedom' law is a vile, lawless travesty". RT International. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  37. ^ Serbia, RTS, Radio televizija Srbije, Radio Television of. "Више литија спојило се на Везировом мосту, река људи на улицама Подгорице". www.rts.rs. Retrieved 2020-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ "Montenegro's parliament approves religion law despite protests". BBC. 2019-12-27. Retrieved 2020-01-05.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. ^ "When words are not enough: BRAWLS break out in Serbian & Montenegrin parliaments amid debates over church property law (VIDEOS)". RT International. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  40. ^ "Episkop Metodije, posle prebijanja u Crnoj Gori, hospitalizovan na VMA". Politika Online. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  41. ^ "Саопштење ЦО Никшић: Физички нападнут свештеник Мирко Вукотић". slobodnahercegovina.com. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  42. ^ "Bivši predsednik opštine Danilovgrad uhapšen na protestu". N1 Srbija (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  43. ^ Reuters (2019-12-30). "Montenegrin Protesters Clash With Police Over Religion Law". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-01-05. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  44. ^ Vojvodine, Javna medijska ustanova JMU Radio-televizija. "Marko Milačić uhapšen zbog jučerašnjeg protesta, Carević pozvao građane Budve večeras na protest". JMU Radio-televizija Vojvodine. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  45. ^ Episkopski savet: Milo i poslanici izopšteni iz SPC, B92
  46. ^ ИН4С (2020-02-02). "(ВИДЕО) (ФОТО) 25 хиљада Пљевљака у одбрану светиња!". ИН4С (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ Video: Nova hapšenja u Crnoj Gori, Aljazeera
  48. ^ Pismo evropskim institucijama povodom hapšenja novinara u Crnoj Gori, Aljazeera
  49. ^ Cilj nam je da promijenimo zakon, a ne državu, CdM
  50. ^ Dačić: Pitanje da li onaj ko podržava Podgoricu i dalje treba da ima državljanstvo Srbije, Radio Slobodbna Evropa
  51. ^ Protesti u Crnoj Gori i Beogradu protiv Zakona o slobodi vjeroispovijesti, Glas Amerike
  52. ^ Beograd opet na nogama: Veliki protest podrške srpskom narodu i SPC u Crnoj Gori
  53. ^ Beograd: Huligani raketama gađali zastavu Crne Gore, niko nije pokušao da ih spriječi, Vijesti
  54. ^ "Burne reakcije iz Crne Gore nakon pokušaja paljenja zastave u Beogradu". Al Jazeera Balkans (in Bosnian). 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  55. ^ "Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Srbije osudilo pokušaj paljenja zastave Crne Gore". Radio Slobodna Evropa (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  56. ^ ИН4С (2020-01-21). "Студентски клуб Правног факултета: Нови протест подршке српском..." ИН4С (in Serbian). Retrieved 2020-02-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  57. ^ "FOTO, VIDEO: U Novom Sadu protest protiv "antisrpskog režima u Crnoj Gori", na čelu kolone vladika Irinej". www.021.rs. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  58. ^ "U Kragujevcu protest i moleban za "prestanak terora nad crkvom u Crnoj Gori"". N1 Srbija (in Serbian (Latin script)). Retrieved 2020-02-02.
  59. ^ "VALJEVO POSLALO JASNU PORUKU: Milove avetinje ne damo vam svetinje (VIDEO)". www.srbijadanas.com (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 2020-02-02.
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