State of the World's Minorities 2007 - Montenegro
| Publisher | Minority Rights Group International |
| Publication Date | 4 March 2007 |
| Cite as | Minority Rights Group International, State of the World's Minorities 2007 - Montenegro, 4 March 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48a97136c.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Union of Serbia and Montenegro ended with a referendum on 26 May 2006, when just over the required 55 per cent of Montenegrin citizens voted in favour of independence for Montenegro. It appears that most Montenegrins wanted to join the EU and were apparently dismayed at Belgrade's policies (e.g. harbouring war criminals, and its fixation on Kosovo) that inhibited progress toward accession. In April 2006, the Montenegrin Parliament adopted a new Law on Minority Rights and Freedoms, which provides for a general framework for the protection of minorities and affirms the multi-ethnic character of Montenegro and Montenegrin society. This includes non-discrimination against ethnic and other minorities, use of minority languages, free association and participation of minorities in public and social life. It also envisages the establishment of minority National Councils, as well as a Republican Fund for Minorities. However, a motion launched before the Constitutional Court questioned some provisions of the law providing for affirmative action in the area of elections and parliamentary representation of minorities through a guaranteed quota of seats, and the Constitutional Court annulled the related provisions.
