02 December 2019 - The Government of Montenegro reviewed the Draft Law Amending the Law on Public Order and Peace, submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro by its Deputy Speaker Genci Nimanbegu, and in that regard, gave Opinion in the text prepared by the Ministry of the Interior. Amendments proposed by the Government are related to the introduction of the obligation to stand up for the national anthem, which, together with the penal provisions concerning state symbols, becomes an integral part of this Law.
Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović said that the Government remains firmly committed to promoting the state policy based on suppressing negative and growing phenomena in society relating to the denial of Montenegro's statehood and cultural identity, the civic profile of the Montenegrin society, the glorification and representation of fascist, chauvinist and Nazi ideas and ideology.
State Secretary of the Ministry of the interior Dragan Pejanović pointed out that it was proposed that the Law on Public Order and Peace should consider the actions taken "through advertisements and advertising billboards" as violations of public order and peace.
The new article stipulates that a legal entity that publishes inappropriate and misleading content in the public place, through advertisement and advertising billboards that cause anxiety and disgrace to citizens, shall be imposed fines for a misdemeanour ranging from 2,500 EUR to 15,000 EUR.
The Government's proposal states that the unsuitable and misleading contents that provoke, upset or disgrace citizens are the following: incorrect presentation and denial of clearly established historical facts regarding Montenegro; bringing facts that violate territorial integrity or magnify the occupation of Montenegro; cooperating with the occupier or advocating for fascist, chauvinist and Nazi ideas and ideologies. It also prescribes that an entrepreneur who commits a misdemeanor will be fined from 500 EUR to 5,000 EUR, a responsible person in a legal entity will be imposed fines ranging from 300 EUR to 2,000 EUR, and a natural person from 300 EUR to 1,000 EUR or a prison sentence of up to 60 days.
In Article 21 of the Law, a new paragraph shall be added after paragraph 4, which reads as follows: "A natural person who during the performance of the national anthem, in cases when applicable regulations prescribe the performance, is sitting, whistling, creating noise or otherwise disturbing public peace and order, thus causing anxiety, disgrace or jeopardising the serenity of citizens, will be fined 250 to 1200 EUR or imprisonment for up to 60 days."
