Civil society organizations and civic activists presented an updated list of signatories to the Parliamentary Committee for Education, Science, Culture, and Sports today, opposing the introduction of religious education into the education system.

According to their statement, 114 non-governmental organizations and nine civic activists advocate for secular public education in Montenegro.

“We wish to emphasize that the civil society organizations supporting this initiative strongly oppose the introduction of religious education in public educational institutions, viewing it as contrary to the fundamental constitutional values of Montenegro’s civil and secular state and not in the best interest of children and youth,” the statement elaborated.

The education system should remain a realm focused on community, learning, and growth rooted in science, rather than divisions based on dogmatic religious beliefs.

It was stated that Article 5 of the General Law on Education prohibits religious instruction, making any attempts to introduce it a serious threat to the secular nature of the state.

“The Montenegrin education system currently includes a subject titled History of Religion, which enables students to learn about all religions and their customs. This fosters interculturalism and unity, while religious education could segregate children of believers from those who are atheists, and further divide believers into different faiths, exacerbating existing ethnic and religious divides in Montenegrin society,” the statement highlighted.

Additionally, the group expressed concern that the Parliament has prioritized the petition for religious education despite the ongoing signature collection for that initiative, which will continue until May 10th.

“This sets a precedent and undermines the principle of equal treatment for all civic initiatives, as previous petitions with sufficient signatures have often waited months for consideration or never reached parliamentary procedure. We urge the Parliament of Montenegro to act responsibly, in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and the best interests of children and youth. State schools must not become venues for religious divisions; education should remain grounded in science, critical thinking, and the values of coexistence in civil society,” the statement reiterated.

The initiative has garnered the support of the following organizations:

1. Human Rights Action (HRA)
2. Center for Civic Education (CGO)
3. Center for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA
4. Educational Community of Montenegro
5. Now Femina
6. SPEKTRA Association
7. Center for Investigative Journalism (CIN-CG)
8. Montenegrin PEN Center
9. Montenegrin LGBTIQ Association Kvir Montenegro
10. Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature (FCJK)
11. KOD
12. Yellow Turtle – Normalizuj.me
13. Municipal Multiple Sclerosis Association Bijelo Polje
14. Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG)
15. Fine
16. Juventas
17. Agency for Local Democracy
18. Ipso Facto
19. Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
20. Society of Montenegrin Publishers
21. Ecological Movement Ecopatriotism
22. Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
23. Center for the Affirmation of the RE Population (CAREP)
24. Montenegrin Women’s Lobby
25. Center for Democratic Transition (CDT)
26. Center for Civil Liberties (CEGAS)
27. Association of Lawyers of Montenegro
28. Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)
29. Sociological Center of Montenegro (SOCEN)
30. LINK – Montenegrin Harm Reduction Network
31. Bihor Cultural Center
32. Association “Štrpci – Against Oblivion”
33. Construction Site
34. Expeditio
35. Empty Space
36. Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights
37. Center for Women’s Rights (CŽP)
38. Corypheus Theater
39. PEN
40. Monte Linguistic
41. Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG)
42. Association of History Professors of Montenegro – HIPMONT
43. Safe Women’s House (SŽK)
44. Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG)
45. Legal Representative
46. Anti-fascists of Cetinje
47. Institute for Gender Equality “Dulcinea”
48. Ulcinj Info
49. New Horizon
50. HUSEIN PASHA
51. Center for Multimedia Production (CEZAM)
52. Association of Psychologists of Montenegro
53. Training Ground for Female Excellence – Sofia
54. Active Zone
55. Dr. Martin Schneider-Jacoby Association – MSJA
56. Education Plus
57. Balkan Sector
58. Bona Fide Pljevlja
59. Alliance for Children and Youth – House
60. Forum MNE
61. Bosniak Forum of Montenegro
62. Center for Economic and European Studies (CEES)
63. ERA – Alliance for Equal Rights of LGBTI People in the Western Balkans and Turkey
64. SOS Rožaje
65. Training and Education Center
66. Center for Roma Initiatives
67. Monitoring Group Ulcinj – MogUL
68. ALFA Center
69. LBTQ Women’s Association “Stana”
70. Children of Montenegro
71. Montenegrin Association of Political Science Students – MAPSS
72. Roma Youth Organization “Walk With Us – Phiren Amenca”
73. Alumni Academy of the Faculty of Law, University of Montenegro
74. Foundation for the Promotion of Science – Prona
75. Montenegrin Cultural Circle
76. Our Action
77. NOVA Center for Feminist Culture
78. Bridge of Culture
79. SOS Hotline for Women and Children Nikšić
80. My Chance is Also Your Chance.
81. Heart
82. MULTIMEDIAL Montenegro
83. Social Justice – Social Justice
84. Association of Parents of Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities “OAZA”
85. 35 mm
86. Potreba – Need
87. Civic Initiative “21 May”
88. Plan B
89. International Police Organization of Montenegro
90. System
91. SkArt
92. Kompas – Youth Information and Counseling Center Kotor
93. Radio Brushkin
94. Futura
95. Sport Agon
96. Pedagogical Center of Montenegro
97. LGBT Forum Progress
98. Foundation Volunteers of Montenegro
99. IKRE – Rožaje
100. SPES
101. Happy Moms
102. Association Parents
103. TNT
104. From Garden to Table
105. Period
106. Civic Alliance
107. You Are Not Alone.
108. Center for the Development of Social Economy
109. Source of Life Nikšić
110. Youth Initiative for Human Rights
111. Association of Young Ecologists Nikšić
112. Zero Waste Montenegro
113. Our Action
114. SOS Hotline for Women and Children Victims of Violence – Podgorica

The initiative is also backed by:

1. Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
2. Jovana Marović, civic activist
3. Goran Đurović, civic activist
4. Dragoljub Vuković, journalist and civic activist
5. Tamara Milaš, civic activist
6. Dušan Pajović, civic activist
7. Aleksandar Dragićević, civic activist
8. Tanja Pavicevic, journalist and civic activist
9. Velibor Ivanović, civic activist

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