Democratic People's Party (DNP) MP Jelena Kljajević announced today that the current status of the Serbian language in Montenegro represents institutional terror of a linguistic minority over a linguistic majority and the conscious maintenance of years of injustice that has no basis in democratic standards or the real state of society.
"Regarding the coordinated crackdown that is being waged these days against the Speaker of the Parliament, Andrija Mandić, due to his statement on the need to resolve the status of the Serbian language, I am obliged to react clearly, precisely and without political embellishment. The issue of the Serbian language in Montenegro is not a matter of political whim, but a matter of elementary human rights. The current status represents institutional terror of a linguistic minority over a linguistic majority and the conscious maintenance of years of injustice that has no basis in democratic standards or the real state of society. This is no longer silencing the problem, this is systemic discrimination, accompanied by a kind of apartheid where attempts are being made from a position of political and institutional power to discipline the majority linguistic community and the Serbian people," Kljajević stressed in a statement.
She added that it is particularly important to expose the untruths being spread in the public.
"It is not true that a referendum is necessary to resolve the issue of the status of the Serbian language. The Constitution of Montenegro clearly provides for the possibility of amendments to the Constitution. Claims that a referendum is mandatory serve exclusively to deceive the public and consciously delay a solution," said Kljajević.
She said that she believes that the Government of Montenegro should establish a proposal for amendments to the Constitution that would recognize the Serbian language as an official language, and that she is convinced that it is possible to secure the necessary majority for such a proposal within the Government itself.
"After that, a broad, serious and socially responsible dialogue on this issue should be opened, without pressure, labels and political blackmail. I expect this issue to be resolved in the first quarter of next year and thus finally eliminate the long-standing discrimination against the majority language in Montenegro. Further delay is not neutral, but means the continuation of injustice and the conscious maintenance of a discriminatory system," said Kljajević.
DON'T MISS IT
I do not accept the thesis that resolving the issue of the majority language can be a topic that divides society. On the contrary, anyone who insists on this argument actually supports discrimination against the largest linguistic community in Montenegro. The rights of the majority do not endanger anyone, but their denial undermines the foundations of democracy.
It is time to stop the persecution, manipulation and false moral superiority. The Serbian language is not Montenegro's problem. The problem is the years of political cowardice to finally resolve this issue in a constitutional, just and democratic manner.
Bonus video:
