Minority rights and freedoms are defined in a special section of the Constitution of Montenegro. It is prescribed that members of minority nations and other minority national communities are guaranteed all the rights and freedoms they can use individually or in a community with others. Primarily, freedom of expression, preservation, development and public expression of national, ethnic, cultural and religious distinctiveness is guaranteed, as well as the choice, use and public display of national symbols and celebration of national holidays.
Members of minorities have the right to use their language and script in private, public and official use, as well as to be educated in their language and writing in state institutions, and that curricula include the history and culture of minority peoples and other minority national communities. Also, in areas with a significant participation in the population, local self-government bodies state and judicial bodies have the right to conduct proceedings in the language of minority peoples and other minority national communities.
They have the right to establish educational, cultural and religious associations with material support from the state.
They have the right to enter and use their name and surname in their language in official documents, as well as to have traditional local names, names of streets and settlements, as well as topographical signs written in the language of minority peoples and other minority groups in areas with a significant population share—national communities.
Minority peoples and other minority national communities have the right to authentic representation in the Parliament of Montenegro and assemblies of local self-government units in which they constitute a significant part of the population, by the principle of affirmative action, as well as proportional representation in public services, state authorities and local self-government.
The Constitution also guarantees them the right to receive information in their language, to establish and maintain contacts with citizens and associations outside of Montenegro who share a common national and ethnic origin, cultural-historical heritage and religious beliefs, as well as the establishment of councils for the protection and promotion of special rights.
Forcible assimilation of minority peoples and other minority national communities is prohibited, and the state must protect them from all forms of forcible assimilation.
The independent and independent body that undertakes measures for the protection of human rights and freedoms is the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro. It performs its function based on the Constitution, laws and confirmed international agreements, adhering to the principles of justice and fairness. The protector is appointed for six years and may be dismissed in cases prescribed by law.
B.P.