Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and Antifascists of Cetinje today submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro, namely to all Members of Parliament, an Initiative for the Adoption of a Resolution Condemning All Forms of Neo-Fascism and Affirming the Anti-Fascist Heritage and Values, considering that such an act is today a socially and politically necessary and responsible response to the worrying phenomena of glorification of fascist and collaborationist ideologies, symbols and individuals in Montenegro and the region.
Modern Montenegro was founded on the principles of the anti-fascist struggle and is constitutionally defined as a civic state. Anti-fascism is not merely a part of Montenegro’s historical heritage, nor is it exhausted through the remembrance of the Second World War and the National Liberation Struggle (NLS), but rather represents one of its fundamental values and an expression of its centuries-long tradition of freedom. The Antifascists of Cetinje and the CCE believe that it is necessary for the Parliament of Montenegro, as the highest legislative body of all citizens, to clearly and unequivocally affirm that there is no place in a democratic and European Montenegro for the glorification of fascist movements, their collaborators, and ideologies which left behind crimes, persecution and mass suffering.
In recent years, we have witnessed increasingly frequent attempts at ideologically motivated revisionism, the relativisation of crimes, and the public glorification of individuals and movements associated with fascist ideologies. Such phenomena are not a matter of differing historical interpretations, but a serious social and security problem that encourages extremism, deepens divisions and increases ethnic distance. Of particular concern is when war criminals and those responsible for ethnic cleansing are presented as heroes or patriots, as this normalises hate speech and undermines the culture of remembrance.
The adoption of this Resolution would represent the first institutional step towards the systematic suppression of dangerous narratives glorifying crimes and criminals, but also a strong message that Montenegro remains committed to its historical, constitutional and European values. As such, it should receive the support of all Members of Parliament for whom anti-fascism, democratic values and the dignity of Montenegro stand above party and ideological divisions.
Additionally, such a Resolution is fully aligned with Montenegro’s European path. Modern Europe and the European Union were founded precisely on the experience of victory over fascism and on the commitment that such ideologies must never be allowed to reappear. The process of European integration is not merely a technical process of meeting benchmarks, but a deeply transformative process of embracing democratic values, the rule of law, anti-discrimination and respect for human dignity.
We believe that this Resolution would also provide an important incentive for institutions to fulfil their obligations more consistently and decisively and, within the framework of their legal competences, to sanction in a timely manner hate speech, the public glorification of fascist ideologies, and all attempts to incite national or religious intolerance. The glorification of war criminals and crimes committed in the name of neo-fascist ideologies constitutes a form of hate speech and directly insults the victims and their descendants. Their condemnation by Parliament would be a strong message to the citizens of Montenegro, but also an indication of the responsible attitude of political actors towards the function they perform, the state they represent, and its fundamental values.
We recall that on 29 April 2026, the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a similar Resolution, with only one vote against, on the initiative of Members of Parliament Saša Magazinović and Jasmin Imamović.
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Antifascists of Cetinje