Milan Knežević, MP and leader of the Democratic People’s Party (DNP), announced that efforts could be made to rectify historical injustices against citizens who were on Goli Otok and their descendants, based on the Declaration condemning human rights violations and the abuse of power that was adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro in 1992.

Knežević commented that the initiative from President Jakov Milatović to propose a law for the rehabilitation of Golo Otok prisoners is a “humane and civilized response to a tragic chapter in our history.”

“It is crucial to remember that during its sessions on January 16, 17, and 18, 1992, the Montenegrin Parliament passed a Declaration that unequivocally condemned human rights violations, abuse of power, arrests, torture, and the cruel treatment of political prisoners on Goli Otok,” stated Knežević.

“Furthermore, point 3 of the Declaration asserts that the state shall ensure moral and legal satisfaction for political convicts while holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable for their historical and moral responsibilities,” he further explained.

He also noted that he currently does not have information regarding the survival of any of the Goli Otok martyrs.

“Yet, through the Declaration from 1992, we can certainly attempt to amend the historical injustices faced by our citizens and their descendants, who, due to differing opinions, were subjected to extraordinary terror in the 20th century in this region,” concluded Knežević.

On Wednesday, the President of Montenegro presented a proposal to the parliament for a law concerning the rehabilitation of Golo Otok prisoners. However, this rehabilitation is unlikely to happen anytime soon, as Milatović’s proposal lacks the necessary support for a vote.

Although there is some backing from part of the parliamentary majority, the strongest ruling party, the Europe Now Movement (PES), along with the majority of the opposition, do not support the initiative. Without their backing, the law will not pass.

The only official measure that Montenegro has adopted to address compensation for political prisoners is the Declaration on the Condemnation of Violations of Human Rights and Abuse of Power, which was enacted by the Parliament of the Republic of Montenegro in January 1992. This document condemned “severe violations of human rights and freedoms, unjust arrests, and the maltreatment of innocent individuals, alongside the terror inflicted upon convicts at Goli Otok and other infamous camps and prisons, resulting in numerous innocent victims and the unwarranted persecution of many.” The state committed to providing those victims with “moral and legal satisfaction.”

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