The Democratic Alliance in Montenegro (DS in CG) is calling for the removal of the church on Rumija and the suspension of the procedure for any legalization of the structure, which was illegally erected on the top of the mountain near Bar in mid-2005. The party is also calling for the preservation of the cultural and historical peak of Rumija and international supervision for respect for the law, rights and freedoms.
"As the first Albanian political force in Montenegro, the DS in Montenegro expresses deep concern and resolute opposition to the latest attempts to legalize the facility that was erected on June 18, 2005, by the Serbian Orthodox Church with the help of the Serbian and Montenegrin army, using a military helicopter, on the top of Mount Rumija. The erection of this facility represents a precedent that has caused widespread public outrage, but also undermines peace and stability in the region," the statement reads.
The Democratic Alliance has two councilors in the local parliament in Ulcinj and they are part of the government.
"Vijesti" previously reported that the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property has accepted the proposal of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral (MCP) to include the location at the top of Rumija, where a church was illegally erected in mid-2005, in the Spatial and Urban Plan (PUP) of Bar as a place for religious buildings.
"This is also a prerequisite for the Holy Trinity Church to be legalized, which stems from the statements in the report from the public debate on amendments to the Bar Urban Development Plan, which was published on the website of the Ministry headed by Slaven Radunović (New Serbian Democracy)," Vijesti reported.
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The text reminds us that by erecting a tin object on Rumija, a centuries-old tradition was interrupted according to which believers of all confessions, respecting the cult of Saint Vladimir, would carry a cross to that mountain near Bar once a year.
The DSCG statement states that the "church-shaped facility" was placed in a public space that traditionally has great historical and cultural value, connected to the centuries-old rituals and traditions of the inhabitants of that area.
"According to traditions passed down from generation to generation, every year the locals climbed to the top of Rumija, carrying one stone, with the symbolic intention of "increasing" the peak of the mountain, which is reflected in the folk song: 'Oh Rumija, high mountain, you have become even higher, you have become higher than you are'," the statement reads.
It is stated that this ritual was never connected with the construction of a church or any religious building and it is recalled that on the day the building was erected, June 18, 2005, the DSCG immediately reacted, addressing state institutions with a request to remove the building and free up public space.
"Also, Mehmet Bardhi publicly condemned this act in the Parliament of Montenegro. After numerous reactions, the competent inspection on the ground determined the existence of the facility and issued a decision to remove it as an illegal construction, but the decision was not implemented. Based on these circumstances, the DSCG demands the urgent execution of the decision of the competent inspection to remove the illegal facility on the Rumija peak, the suspension of any procedure for legalization or transfer of ownership in favor of any religious entity, the preservation of the cultural and historical character of the Rumija peak as a traditional space for performing centuries-old rituals, and international supervision by the Delegation of the European Union and competent institutions to respect the law, human rights and freedoms," reads the statement signed by the party's president, Saubih Mehmeti.
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