Human Rights Action (HRA) urged the Government to promptly establish a working group tasked with drafting legislation for the rehabilitation and compensation of political prisoners from Goli Otok, Sveti Grgur, and similar detention facilities.

The HRA expressed support for the initiative proposed by Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović to enact this legislation.

The non-governmental organization (NGO) reminded that, to this day, neither the government led by the Democratic Party of Socialists nor the subsequent authorities post-2020 have embraced the initiative from the Golootočana association and the HRA to implement such a law.

“As a result, the victims of severe human rights abuses from Goli Otok and their families remain the only disenfranchised group in the region,” stated the HRA.

They noted that Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia have had laws in place for a considerable time that provide compensation to these victims.

“We recall that in 1992, the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro condemned ‘the terror inflicted upon prisoners at Goli Otok and other notorious camps and prisons’ and pledged to provide moral and legal redress to all affected,” the statement continued.

It was highlighted that both ombudsmen, Šefko Crnovršanin and Šućko Baković, have previously advocated in vain for the rehabilitation and compensation of Golootoč victims.

“A chance to address this matter was overlooked when the Law on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes was enacted in 2015,” the HRA pointed out.

According to them, the administrations of Prime Ministers Duško Marković, Zdravko Krivokapić, and Dritan Abazović failed to correct this historical injustice.

“We call upon the Government of Milojko Spajić to immediately establish a working group to draft the necessary legislation, ensuring that the few remaining living prisoners from Goli Otok receive the acknowledgment they deserve, alongside the descendants of those who have passed,” the HRA asserted.

The NGO urged the Government to commemorate this year’s International Day for the Right to the Truth about Serious Violations of Human Rights and the Dignity of Victims, celebrated on March 24th, at least by initiating the work of a dedicated group.

The HRA emphasized that 3,390 Montenegrins were imprisoned at Goli Otok alone, comprising 21.5 percent of the total number of prisoners.

“This represents, proportionally, the largest number relative to the population among all the former Yugoslav republics,” the HRA highlighted.

They noted that the 42nd Government did not consider the HRA’s proposal or that of the Association of Golootočans regarding the passage of such legislation, despite previously indicating they would.

As stated by the HRA, failing to recognize the victims of human rights violations reflects a disregard for human rights altogether.

“Montenegro must make a decisive effort to ensure that all victims of severe human rights violations from the past are acknowledged and remembered. Such a definitive break from its wartime past, rooted in moral and legal principles, would be a vital step towards a stable, democratic future,” the HRA concluded.

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