This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
We, the undersigned, declare the following:
We express our deep concern following the adoption in Montenegro,
on 27 December 2019, of a Law on Freedom of Religion or Beliefs
and Legal Status of Religious Communities.
This law, adopted with no consultation of the religious communities
and against the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the
European Union External Action Service, contains serious violations
of human rights.
It provides, inter alia, that:
most religious properties become
the properties of the State (Article 62);
religious communities are precluded from founding primary
schools (Article 54);
existing religious communities must apply for a new registration
to obtain legal personality whereas they possess it already;
religious communities with a seat abroad, such as the
majority church (the Serbian Orthodox Church), must have their seat
in Montenegro in order to gain legal personality.
This law is provoking massive demonstrations and the contestation
of many church leaders across Europe and the world.
We urge the authorities and the Constitutional Court of Montenegro
to repeal the law and to restore a peaceful dialogue with religious
communities in order to achieve a new law that would be fully respectful
of international law and of Montenegro's international obligations.
