Bečić: Anyone who wants good for Montenegro cannot be against reform laws, noise-making and manipulation ended ingloriously

Attempts to create artificial noise by opponents of any possible reform in the security sector in the past two years, accompanied by the cheapest possible manipulations in the interpretation of the European Commission's review of two legal projects in the field of security, ended quickly, ingloriously and as expected, said Aleksa Bečić, Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy and leader of the Democrats.

"The European Commission has clearly stated that the laws have been harmonized, that Montenegro can adopt the laws in question, and that only the part regarding data protection will be fully harmonized by the end of the accession negotiations, which is certainly foreseen by the Government's amendments, repeatedly emphasized, and which was not even the subject of these legal amendments but part of the current legal solution. So the green light from the EC for the adoption of the laws in question is not surprising, because whoever means well to Montenegro, whoever wants to fight crime, strengthen capacities, eliminate illicit influences, and successfully complete the European path cannot be against reform laws," Bečić stated in a press release.

The European Commission (EC) said yesterday that they are aware of the proposed amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency in Montenegro, as well as the concerns expressed by civil society and trade unions.

"The Commission has been consulted on two draft laws and considers that the data protection provisions of both laws are not yet fully aligned with the EU acquis, in particular the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED). To this end, Montenegro should align these provisions with the EU acquis either before adopting the law or adopt the law and align the provisions before the closure of accession negotiations. This is an additional reason to move swiftly with a comprehensive data protection reform in Montenegro," the EC spokesperson said.

"Imagine being against the Law that defines that a drug user cannot be a police officer, that a criminal charged by the SDT with operating in criminal organizations and for serious crimes cannot be in the Police Directorate. That someone who discloses information to criminal structures cannot wear a uniform. That such people cannot receive salaries from citizens, and according to the assessments of the authorities, work against the system and serve the mafia. Imagine being against hiring young people into the police ranks, addressing the personnel deficit, returning police officers to the community, neighborhoods, settlements, schools," Bečić said in a press release.

He added that this was difficult to imagine, but not unexpected.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that in the past two years, every reform implemented in the security sector was first obstructed and an attempt was made to stop it with noise, and every security incident, which occurs even in the most developed countries in the world, was automatically, and often, as he stated, monstrously abused with the sole aim of attacking the security sector, diverting focus and stopping reforms.

"However, everything was in vain. Futile, panicky and transparent. Capacities are being strengthened, the most modern equipment is being acquired, honorable and courageous professionals are in charge, international trust is at its peak, results in the fight against all forms of crime are record-breaking. The sense of justice and the strength of the state are returning. The time of the protected is in the past. Criminals no longer dictate to the state, but are deprived of their freedom or hide in panic. There are no untouchables, and whoever is steeped in crime and corruption cannot sleep peacefully. So whoever wants the continuation of the historic fight against crime, tearing off the tentacles of informal centers of power, purification and healing, personnel strengthening and renewal, the successful completion of the European path and the final victory over all forms of crime will vote for the laws in question and all further reforms," ​​he said.

Bečić emphasized that these are crucial matches for the future of Montenegro.

"Whoever helps the state in the fight against the mafia will be remembered by history. In all of this, I single out those individuals and groups who, due to noise, insufficient information or lack of communication, do not agree with these legal solutions, because I never generalize. Let us serve the state, defeat crime, build strong institutions. That is our sacred duty. Let us unite around the principles of professionalism and honor. That is the only guarantee of an eternal Montenegro," concluded the Deputy Prime Minister.