Non-governmental organizations Human Rights Action, Women’s Rights Centre and Institute Alternative express strong protest regarding the Draft Law on Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Public Gatherings and Public Events, which was submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro on June 23, 2025, by a group of MPs from the political parties of the parliamentary majority.

The proposed amendments introduce an absolute ban on peaceful gatherings that may temporarily disrupt traffic, along with provisions for extremely high monetary fines for individuals and legal entities. This constitutes a disproportionate restriction of the fundamental human right to peaceful gatherings, as guaranteed by Article 52 of the Constitution of Montenegro, Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

It is particularly concerning that this legal proposal was submitted without any public consultation, without an assessment of compliance with EU legal standards, and without consideration of international standards and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Furthermore, the proposers have openly admitted that they did not examine whether their proposal aligns with the international treaties signed and ratified by Montenegro.

We remind that, according to EU documents containing the closing benchmarks for Chapter 23, Montenegro is obligated to ensure respect for the rights and freedoms established by the European Convention on Human Rights and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. In this context, the attempt to adopt a law that would absolutely prohibit protests on roadways represents a step backward for both democracy and Montenegro’s European integration process.

We have submitted a letter to the Legislative Committee and the Committee on Political System, Judiciary and Administration, urging MPs and the relevant parliamentary committees to refer this proposal to the competent ministries (human rights, justice, interior affairs, and European integration) for a compliance review, and to initiate a broad public debate with the participation of domestic and international experts, including the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the OSCE.

While we are aware of the challenges that prolonged traffic blockades may cause, especially during the tourist season, we emphasize that the solution must not lie in bans, but in democratic mechanisms that protect the rights of all citizens — both the right to freedom of movement and the right to express opinions through peaceful gatherings.

Signatories:

Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Executive Director of NGO Human Rights Action

Maja Raičević, Executive Director of NGO Women’s Rights Centre

Stevo Muk, Chair of the Board of NGO Institute Alternative