Centre for Civic Education (CCE) emphasizes the importance of respecting the Law on the selection, use and public display of national symbols by all decision-makers, considering how violations of this law can contribute to the ongoing polarization in our society.
Shortly after becoming the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić introduced the Serbian tricolor into his office. Recently, the public also saw that the newly elected Vice President of the Parliament, Nikolla Camaj, has placed the Albanian flag in his office.
CCE reminds that Article 10 of the Law on the Selection, Use, and Public Display of National Symbols prohibits the use of national symbols, among other places, in the building and offices of the Parliament (except in areas designated for parliamentary clubs). Therefore, in both cases, this pertains to offices used by the highest state officials, constituting a violation of a clear and imperative legal norm.
Displaying symbols associated with another state in a manner prohibited by law undermines the reputation of the institutions where these officials work, as it privatizes them. This also reflects a lack of respect for the integrity and sovereignty of the state of Montenegro.
CCE emphasizes that the dynamics of the process of building a developed political culture are most significantly influenced or obstructed by decision-makers. The minimum expectation from them is to know and respect the legal regulations adopted by the Assembly of Montenegro. If the President and Vice President of the Parliament disregard these norms to promote their ethnic symbols, which are not part of the state symbols, what can be expected from other citizens? How will they protect the state interests of Montenegro?
In this context, CCE calls on the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, as the relevant state administration body for human and minority rights, to ensure the implementation of this Law and to sanction those who do not comply with it.
Nikola Obradović, Programme Associate