Prior to becoming a member of the European Union (EU), Montenegro needs to enhance the condition of the Roma community, mainly by addressing the citizenship and personal documentation issues, elevating education standards, combating discrimination against community members, and decreasing the rates of unemployment and informal employment within the Roma population.

This evaluation was shared during a podcast by the MINA agency, which is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Media via the Fund for Encouraging Media Pluralism and Diversity.

Participants in the MINA agency’s discussion noted that while the situation for Roma in Montenegro has seen progress, the state must exert greater efforts through various programs aimed at integrating the Roma and improving their living standards.

Mensur Šaljaj, President of the Roma Council, remarked that the conditions for Roma in Montenegro have improved compared to previous years, highlighting that a significantly larger number of children are now enrolled in primary and secondary education, there are more educated individuals, and some are employed as social inclusion associates in governmental organizations.

He stressed their commitment to integrating children from Roma and Egyptian backgrounds into the education system and expressed hope for the possibility of lowering the enrollment criteria for secondary schools.

“After finishing high school, we aspire for them to have the opportunity to pursue higher education in their chosen fields, ensuring that they have guaranteed spots at specific faculties and providing them with free tuition,” Šaljaj noted, commending the substantial support they receive from the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MESI) and Minister Anđela Jakšić Stojanović.

Plans are underway, with the backing of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture, to introduce mediators in preschool education to increase kindergarten enrollment among children in Podgorica and other cities across Montenegro.

Sokolj Beganaj, Head of the Department for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Roma and Egyptians at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, reported that preschool enrollment from the Roma and Egyptian communities rose from 16 percent to over 60 percent.

“Our ambitions don’t stop here; we aim to involve associates in preschool education and, if feasible, provide transportation for them to and from kindergarten,” Beganaj added.

He pointed out that previously, only 55 percent of the Roma and Egyptian population was attending primary schools, but the implementation of the Strategy for the Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptians 2021-2025 has raised that number to more than 88 percent.

Beganaj also indicated a 20 percent increase in secondary school enrollment and mentioned that all Roma and Egyptian individuals who completed secondary education can participate in training as social inclusion associates to facilitate their employment prospects.

His goal is not merely to graduate high school students but to encourage them to pursue further education and enroll in colleges.

“Our aim is to cultivate a new generation that will serve as ambassadors for the Roma and Egyptian communities, representing them effectively. We have taken significant steps in this direction and are achieving success,” Beganaj stated.

On November 24, a Roma seminar took place in Montenegro, an annual event for countries aspiring to EU membership, during which key recommendations were outlined for improving the situation of Roma in Montenegro over the next two years.

“In education, we must maintain our momentum, but we also need to enhance the quality of education. Furthermore, there are still members of the Roma and Egyptian communities with unresolved legal statuses, which prevents them from obtaining health insurance. Addressing their documentation is crucial for establishing their legal status,” Beganaj emphasized.

He noted that, officially, 20 to 30 individuals from the Roma and Egyptian communities lack resolved legal statuses, but the actual figure could be as high as 400, as many have not initiated the legal status application process and are unaware of their rights.

Šaljaj explained the role of the Roma Council in issuing two certificates in collaboration with the Ministries of Human and Minority Rights and Internal Affairs, which confirm that individuals reside at a specific address and have sufficient means of support, thereby enabling them to regularize their temporary or permanent residency or obtain Montenegrin citizenship.

He highlighted the challenge presented by the Montenegrin language test, which hinders many Roma and Egyptian community members from resolving their legal status and attaining citizenship.

“Previously, we had an agreement with the Institute of the Montenegrin Language that allowed Roma and Egyptian community members to take the oral examination only, but this changed in 2021, when the written portion was deemed mandatory. This poses significant challenges, considering that approximately 70-80 percent of the Roma community members are illiterate and struggle to pass the test. This is a major barrier to resolving these outstanding legal requirements,” Šaljaj remarked.

Beganaj asserted that reducing discrimination against Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro is imperative for advancing their status.

As highlighted by Beganaj, the Government has adopted a program to combat anti-Gypsyism and discrimination against Roma, aimed at educating around 30,000 to 40,000 public servants in Montenegro about the Roma community, their culture, and effective approaches to assist their integration.

“We need to foster respect among our citizens. If people are recognized and appreciated for their differences, there would be no need for laws, action plans, or strategies,” Beganaj remarked.

He noted that perceptions toward the Roma community have recently shifted, indicating a decline in overt discrimination, although subtler forms of discrimination and segregation persist.

“To a degree, the Roma population needs to progress away from self-segregation and instead broaden their social circles and participate more in community activities for comprehensive integration,” Beganaj suggested.

Beganaj further mentioned that the Government has launched the National Program for the Transformation of Informal Employment of Roma and Egyptians, aimed at fully integrating community members into the formal labor market.

“As Montenegro moves closer to EU membership, those working illegally will need to regularize their employment to secure income, pensions, occupational safety, and all other rights under the Labor Law,” Beganaj clarified.

He estimated that this program would cost approximately EUR 840,000, impacting around 500 to 600 members of the Roma population, who would receive internship opportunities.

Regarding the status of the Romani language and efforts to establish Serbian and Bosnian as official languages in Montenegro, Šaljaj noted, “Some things are feasible for some, while others struggle for recognition as a minority.” He recalled the promise that following the census, Parliament would deliberate on the Roma Council’s initiative to have Roma recognized as a national minority in Montenegro.

He assessed that introducing Serbian as an official language might destabilize the country, expecting that a majority of MPs would be unwilling to support the initiative or may not even discuss it.

On the topic of the Romani language, Šaljaj shared that the Roma Council is in discussions with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and the University of Montenegro to potentially develop master’s degree programs in Romani studies at the Faculty of Philology, encouraging enrollment in that field and professional training for future educators.

“It’s our responsibility, in cooperation with the Ministry, to devise an action plan and strategy for standardizing the Romani language, determining whether to utilize the Gurbet language or an official variant. Given that 90 percent of the Romani community speaks Gurbet, I believe we need to adapt accordingly,” Šaljaj expressed.

He elaborated on the cultural significance of language, stating that losing one’s language equates to losing one’s identity, and he is committed to preventing the full assimilation of the Romani language.

On the subject of political representation, Šaljaj revealed that last February, they submitted a proposal to the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform to lower the parliamentary entry threshold for their community from 0.70 to 0.35 percent under an affirmative action system, but they have yet to receive an official response, only an informal acknowledgment of receipt.

He expressed his satisfaction with the Committee’s resumed activities, hoping their initiative would be considered soon.

When questioned about the potential improvement in Roma representation in parliament with the introduction of open lists, Šaljaj advocated for guaranteed mandates as the most beneficial approach for the Roma community in Montenegro.

“In Kosovo, for example, certain minority parties secure guaranteed mandates with only 200 votes,” he noted, revealing that Roma comprise 0.9 percent of Montenegro’s population, and 0.7 percent possess Montenegrin citizenship, including minors without voting rights.

“The 0.35 percent threshold is relatively high; however, considering it was set for the Croatian community, which is nearly as populous as ours according to the latest census, it indicates a need to rectify the overt discrimination towards Roma and secure our rights akin to those of Croats in this nation,” Šaljaj contended.

As he articulated, the future representative of the Roma in Montenegro’s parliament will face significant responsibilities; they must gather legislative support for the community’s best interests while allocating ample time for the realization of these initiatives.

In terms of healthcare access, Šaljaj stated that Roma experience the least discrimination, noting that community members can readily seek assistance from healthcare mediators, who can provide necessary information in Romani.

Regarding housing conditions, Beganaj indicated that Montenegro, aided by European partners and donors, successfully closed the Konik 1 and 2 camps, among the largest in Europe; nevertheless, some individuals still face unresolved housing issues.

He revealed that relevant government departments, alongside the Council of Europe, conducted a Feasibility Study on Social Housing for Roma and Egyptians across eight Montenegrin municipalities, estimating that about EUR 24 million would be required for constructing new housing units to accommodate community members.

Beganaj conveyed that securing such substantial donations from European funds remains challenging due to necessary conditions, and negotiations with the World Bank are ongoing.

“Initially, the World Bank believed they could offer favorable loans, but we requested non-repayable assistance or grants to establish new stable housing units instead. They accepted our proposal, and we anticipate an upcoming meeting with them,” Beganaj noted.

He added that the World Bank’s plan involves starting housing unit construction in one or two municipalities, with potential expansion contingent on project success.

Beganaj highlighted that housing conditions are particularly dire in Berane, especially post-floods, with Nikšić, Kotor, Budva, and Bijelo Polje also facing challenges.

He remarked that the European Commission continues to express concerns regarding the situation of the Roma and Egyptian populations, stressing the need for ongoing improvement of their status in Montenegro.

“Significant work lies ahead; hence we consistently receive new recommendations and guidelines that must be followed to meet EU standards and secure rights. We must comply with all EU demands to ensure the Roma community can fully enjoy their entitled rights,” he stated.

Beganaj, who serves as the coordinator for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy for the Social Inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, assessed the strategy’s merit and indicated that a working group would soon be established to draft a new document with the assistance and support of the Council of Europe.

“In the upcoming strategy, we will tackle the challenges faced by Roma and Egyptians, aiming to resolve their issues before our country joins the EU,” Beganaj concluded.

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