Non-governmental organisations and civic activists call for the dismissal of the members of the Council of the “Radosav Ljumović” Public Library, who, contrary to the Law on Memorials, adopted a decision to rename the institution the “Marko Miljanov Library”. As a session of the Capital City Assembly has been scheduled for 29 July, and the initiative for the dismissal of the Council members, submitted by the Party of European Progress, has already been included on the agenda, we call on the councillors to vote in favour of their dismissal. We expect them to be replaced by reputable individuals who meet the prescribed requirements and who, as members of the governing councils of public cultural institutions, will act to uphold Montenegro’s anti-fascist and constitutional values.

On 3 July, the members of the Council of the “Radosav Ljumović” Public Library adopted a decision to rename the institution without following the procedure prescribed by the Law on Memorials. Under that law, the name of a public institution commemorating a prominent individual is considered a memorial, and changing such a name requires the implementation of the procedure set out in the Memorial Erection Programme, which is adopted by the Capital City Assembly with the prior approval of the Ministry of Culture and Media (Articles 2 and 8).

The name of the Library cannot be changed solely on the basis of a decision by its Council, but only in compliance with the procedure prescribed by the Law on Memorials. The powers granted under the Library’s Statute cannot serve as a basis for circumventing the statutory procedure.

Although presented as an attempt to pay additional tribute to Marko Miljanov, through this decision the current Council sought to erase from the public sphere the memory of Radosav Ljumović and the anti-fascist legacy he represented. Primary schools in Podgorica and Bijelo Polje already bear Marko Miljanov’s name, as do streets in Podgorica, Nikšić, Žabljak and Mojkovac. A monument to him stands in the centre of Podgorica, his bust is located in Berane, and a museum in Kuči is dedicated to preserving the memory of his life and work.

By contrast, to the best of our knowledge, the Public Library in Podgorica is the only institution in Montenegro named after Radosav Ljumović, an avant-garde intellectual, poet, journalist and veteran of the Spanish Civil War. The Library has borne his name since 1959, and that name has been regarded as generally accepted. It has never previously been publicly challenged.

Novica Đurić, Emilo Labudović and Bećir Vuković voted in favour of the decision to rename the Library. Đurić and Labudović were promoters of warmongering propaganda during the Yugoslav People’s Army’s attack on Dubrovnik. For years, Vuković has publicly glorified the Chetnik movement, denied the existence of the Montenegrin nation and downplayed the country’s anti-fascist legacy. The highly controversial decision to award him the 13 July Award last year has resulted in both civil proceedings and a preliminary investigation into suspected falsification of information concerning the publication of the book Houses of the Homeless, for which he received Montenegro’s highest state honour, together with a lifelong monthly allowance.

The Library’s Statute provides that the President and members of the Council may be dismissed before the expiry of their term of office if they act contrary to the law or the Library’s Statute, or if they fail to protect the public interest (Article 28).

We believe that the Council members who voted in favour of this decision have met both grounds for dismissal: they acted contrary to the Law on Memorials and demonstrated that they do not protect the public interest. We further believe that individuals who do not uphold anti-fascist values should not be appointed as members of the Council of an educational public institution such as the Library.

The unlawful renaming decision is not the only reason to scrutinise the work of the Library and its Council. Fidelity Consulting published the shocking information that, in 2025, the Library purchased books from the publisher Nova knjiga at an average price of almost EUR 100 per book, although the average price of the same type of purchases two years earlier was approximately EUR 12.50. The competent authorities should urgently examine the legality of these public procurement procedures and determine whether any responsibility arises.

We expect the Capital City Assembly, by voting to dismiss the current Council, to demonstrate its readiness to protect the rule of law and the culture of remembrance of those who fought against fascism.

Human Rights Action (HRA)
Juventas
Prima
Prazan Prostor
Štrpci Association – Against Oblivion
Anti-Fascists of Cetinje
21 May Civic Initiative
Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organisations (CRNVO)
Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG)
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
ANIMA Centre for Women’s and Peace Education
Women’s Rights Centre (WRC)
Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
IPSO Facto

Women’s Action
Media Institute of Montenegro (MIM)
Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights
Fidelity Consulting
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist
Milena Bešić, civic activist
Mladen Ivanović, civic activist
Aleksandar Dragićević, civic activist