The deputies have finished discussing the Proposal for Amendments to the Law on Veterans’ and Disability Protection, which aims to include civilian victims of war into the veterans’ and disability support system. Additionally, their family members who are Montenegrin citizens will have the right to compensation. The parliamentary vote on this matter is scheduled for a later date.

As per the proposed amendments to the law, a civilian victim of war is defined as a citizen of Montenegro who, as a civilian, died or has gone missing during the armed conflicts in the territory of the former SFRY after 17 August 1990. Family members—children, spouses, parents, step-parents, or adoptive parents—may qualify for compensation under specific conditions. Children of civilian victims of war are eligible for compensation if they are minors, as well as during their education and studies, up to the age of 27. The amendments will also raise the basis for calculating personal disability benefits from 307 to 850 euros.

One of the most notorious incidents of civilian casualties from Montenegro during the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia was the tragedy in Štrpci on February 27, 1993, where 20 civilians lost their lives.

These amendments have faced criticism from certain public and NGO representatives, particularly due to the lack of public debate. The Government has yet to clarify this omission. The law has been in demand for a year, as on December 29, 2023, following public protests from NGOs, victims’ associations, and some opposition members, deputies from the New Serbian Democracy and the Democratic People’s Party withdrew the previous Draft Law. This earlier legislation unjustly excluded the families of all civilian victims of war who died outside Montenegro and during periods when a state of war had not been formally declared.

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Nikola Camaj, pointed out that today marks 32 years since the crimes against civilians in Štrpci, and emphasized the need for the parliament to acknowledge past errors in order to build a better future.

Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, Damir Gutić, stated that this regulation goes beyond mere administrative adjustments. It seeks to include war victims and their families within the framework of the veterans’ and disabled persons’ protection system. This move aims to ensure equal treatment and support for both soldiers and civilians who lost their lives.

“Family members of civilian victims of war, encompassing spouses, children, parents, step-parents, and adoptive parents, will be entitled to family disability benefits and increased material compensation under specifically defined conditions. With this amendment, we are not merely addressing past injustices; we are actively cultivating the future society. This law not only introduces new beneficiaries but also applies to existing ones. Each recipient of veterans’ disability protection will see a recalculation of their benefits, leading to an increase in their financial support,” he elaborated, noting that siblings of civilian victims of war might also qualify for these rights as long as they are unable to work.

Gutić emphasized that the law represents not only a legislative norm but a moral obligation.

Europe Now Movement (PES) MP Miloš Pižurica remarked that along with enhancing salaries and living standards, the tenure of the 44th Government will be noted for its rectification of injustices. He noted that many individuals participated in wars not of their own volition, but as casualties of senseless politics and historical circumstances.

“For the first time, this law recognizes civilian victims of war, allowing them to access family disability benefits… The basis for determining benefits increases from 307 euros to 850 euros, enabling higher compensation for all beneficiaries; disability benefits across categories will see increases… Several discriminatory barriers are eliminated, and children of deceased soldiers can now receive disability benefits until the age of 27, instead of under previous limitations,” Pižurica stated, adding that he anticipates the state to allocate 785 thousand euros for the law’s implementation, and that the parliamentary faction will support the legislation.

He underscored that these experiences must serve as a warning to prevent future occurrences of such tragedies in Montenegro.

Democratic MP Boris Bogdanović noted the importance of the law in bringing justice to what Montenegro has attempted to obscure: that non-combatants were also victims of violence. He remarked that ignoring the truth is no longer an option, and the recently established Inquiry Committee aims to uncover analogous cases.

“Who are the individuals responsible for dividing our society? Who murdered Duško Jovanović, who was the shooter, who sent threatening messages and enforced silence after the attack? Who killed Slavoljub Šćekić, delivering verdicts without trials? What concealed truths were denied to the law and the public? Who targeted editors, advisors, and ministers, and orchestrated violent conspiracies? How many more tears must be shed before we realize that division harms everyone?” he queried.

The PES parliamentary group also stated that this law represents progress in enhancing the rights of all users, placing Montenegro on par with other nations regarding these protections. MP Branka Marković pointed out the ongoing discrepancies, particularly between those suffering due to Montenegro’s actions and those whose suffering rests with the opposing side in the conflict.

“While the law still limits beneficiaries to citizens of Montenegro, despite calls for broader inclusion, its significance cannot be diminished. Our next responsibility is to ensure its effective enforcement so that all affected individuals receive adequate support. We must not overlook victims in our efforts to enhance regulations,” Marković stressed.

Bosniak Party MP Amer Smailović asserted that the families and victims have waited long enough and should not be overlooked. He viewed this legislation as a means to rectify historical oversights, highlighting the monstrous crimes that remain unresolved.

“We do not know who orchestrated these murders. It is crucial to note that the amendments will increase compensation amounts for existing categories; soon after the law passes, civilian victims of war will receive one-time state aid from the Government. It is regrettable that these changes were not enacted earlier,” he affirmed, stressing that facing the past is vital, and these amendments offer hope for addressing other wartime atrocities.

Smailović further noted that the Bosniak side would extend support for these amendments, and that the Albanian Forum announced a similar intent.

The Socialist People’s Party (SNP) and CIVIS pledged their support for the law amendments. SNP MP Bogdan Božović mentioned that families will obtain rights they previously lacked, acknowledging the victims’ suffering and asserting that the law represents a positive step forward.

Bosniak Party MP Jasmin Ćorović stated that the nation must safeguard all citizens, particularly the innocent and civilian populations, while acknowledging that there have been oversights and war crimes on its territory.

“Progress cannot occur without recognizing the truth and admitting culpability for past mistakes. We cannot integrate into the community of developed European states while burdened by war crimes and injustices against civilian victims and their families. This law serves as an effort to cleanse that stain and reflects the state’s goodwill to confront its errors,” Ćorović emphasized.

New Serbian Democracy (NSD) MP Dejan Đurović expressed hopes that laws would be passed to facilitate national reconciliation, underscoring that reconciliation is essential.

Gutić concluded that Montenegro is reconciling with its conscience, and the recognition of civilian victims of war will finally bring long-awaited justice after decades. He reiterated that this law should have been enacted 25 years ago; though late, it is a significant step in correcting injustices.

“This law will address past injustices, and I am hopeful for its adoption tomorrow,” Gutić stated emphatically.