Zeković: The CPC, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Jewish community...

According to the Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Legal Position of Religious Communities, five religious communities have been registered with the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights so far, based on their applications.

Aleksandar Saša Zeković, the state secretary in that government department, told "Vijesti" that.

He explained that the religious communities of the Archbishop's Ordinariate of Bar were registered in the Register of existing religious communities, upon application by Mons. Roko Đonlešaj, Archbishop of Bar, Montenegrin Orthodox Church (CPC), upon report by authorized person Mihailo Dedeić, Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro, Jewish Community of Montenegro, upon report by Đorđe Raičević, President, Christian religious community Jehovah's Witnesses, upon report by Zoran Lalović and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montenegro, as reported by Richard Wayne Johnson, director.

The registration process is ongoing for two more religious communities, Zeković said.

"The Montenegrin Law on Freedom of Religion created the necessary framework for the full protection, enjoyment and promotion of religious freedom. The law was adopted in order to encourage the social and cultural expression of faith without restrictions, and to settle an important social issue democratically, civilly and without restrictions and limitations. The earlier regulation, from 1977, was part of the overcome political heritage and values. There is no legal obligation for a religious community to register, but it is a matter of its free decision. All religious communities have the right to act, without restrictions, but those who do not want to that the competent authority records data on their name, seat, address and representative, they will not have all the benefits enjoyed by registered legal entities, that is, they will not have the status of a legal entity. The registration procedure is extremely simple," said Zeković.

He pointed out that national standards and all institutions in the field of human rights are able to guarantee and provide an effective and decisive response to any possible discrimination and intolerance based on religious grounds.

"The Government and the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights, through their own activities but also through intensive partnership with civil society organizations, including all religious communities, are dedicated to further cultural openness, religious tolerance and the constant strengthening of the human rights culture society in Montenegro. Through a strong and effective support for the programs and initiatives of non-governmental organizations and councils of minority peoples, we carry out a critical assessment and verification of the state of human rights and thus institutionally, with the division of responsibilities, we contribute to solving all issues and improving practice," Zeković said.