The President of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, Aleksandar Grgurović, endorsed the initiative proposed by the President of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, to enact the Law on the Rehabilitation and Compensation of Political Prisoners from Goli Otok, Sveti Grgur, and other prisons, as announced by the Municipality of Danilovgrad.

“As the President of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, I wish to express my utmost support for the initiative put forward by Mr. Jakov Milatović, the President of Montenegro, regarding the Parliament of Montenegro’s adoption of the Law on the Rehabilitation and Compensation of Political Prisoners from Goli Otok, Sveti Grgur, and similar facilities. This initiative is more than a mere legal procedural step; it is a rectification of historical injustices inflicted upon countless innocent individuals subjected to so-called community service that was, in reality, nothing but suffering and torture. Enduring harsh conditions filled with thirst, hunger, fatigue, and humiliation, these individuals lost their strength, dignity, and hope,” stated Grgurović.

He emphasized that Montenegro bore an extensive sacrifice in relation to its population.

“Out of more than 16,000 political prisoners held on Goli Otok, over 3,000 were from Montenegro. The majority of these individuals came from Bjelopavlić, placing an enormous burden on this region during that tragic chapter of our history. Accounts from the victims have unveiled the extreme inhumanity exhibited by the authorities towards their peers, comrades, friends, neighbors, and relatives. The Informbiro left a devastating imprint on Montenegro, both in terms of the sheer number of individuals affected and the quality of suffering endured by them and their families. Frequently, the physical torture inflicted upon prisoners resulted in the death of innocent people. Those who were arrested were coerced into betraying their comrades, while those who resisted faced brutal punishment. This exemplifies the inhumane treatment meted out to individuals mistakenly accused of ‘treason to the people and the state,'” Grgurović remarked.

He noted that the harsh conditions on Goloto impacted more than just those who were incarcerated.

“This was a time of widespread oppression; even citizens who were not imprisoned experienced a lack of freedom, as it was uncertain ‘who would be next.’ It is particularly tragic that some of the most distinguished individuals of that era found themselves among the prisoners. Consequently, the Municipality of Danilovgrad has a profound moral responsibility to advocate for this initiative. This matter transcends historical justice; it pertains to our attitudes towards the past, towards individuals who suffered injustice, and our capability to acknowledge errors and learn from them. Honoring the victims is not merely an act of remembrance; it represents our collective awareness and accountability,” the statement articulates.

Grgurović asserted that the Law on the Rehabilitation of Goli Otok Prisoners will deliver “a significant message to future generations that such horrors and shame must never be repeated.”

“This will serve as confirmation that Montenegro possesses the strength and determination to confront its past. Danilovgrad is among the few Montenegrin towns to have named its central square in honor of the victims of Goli Otok, and a monument honoring them still stands there today. On behalf of the Municipality of Danilovgrad and myself, I urge all relevant institutions to support this initiative and finally take the actions that should have been taken long ago—restoring, even if posthumously, the dignity that was unjustly stripped from these individuals,” he expressed.

“We owe it to them. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to Montenegro. Therefore, we are obligated to rectify this injustice, to honor the victims, and to ensure such tragedies are never repeated,” Grgurović concluded.

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