A group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which during the past weeks tried to draw the public's attention to the illegalities that followed the process of project evaluation and adoption Decisions on the distribution of funds to non-governmental organizations based on the Public Competition "Let's Develop Cultural Habits!" , submitted to the Ministry of Culture a formal Initiative for annulment of that harmful Decision. Unfortunately, the Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović and his associates remained of the position that such a Decision should be applied, it was announced today from the Center for Civic Education (CGO).
"We remind you that that decision caused numerous and well-founded criticisms among experts and the interested public. As the Decision is procedurally flawed, we will prepare a lawsuit to the Administrative Court. Also, since there are well-founded doubts that the decision-making process was accompanied by non-transparency, conflicts of interest and corrupt actions, and that there are indications of elements of organized crime in the relationship between assessors - committee members - non-governmental organizations, we intend to file a criminal complaint with the Special State Prosecutor's Office", the statement of the CGO, which, in addition to the NGO, is signed by the Youth Cultural Center of Herceg Novi, the Association of Theater Critics and Theatologists of Montenegro Gore, ART 365, Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro, NOVA Center for Feminist Culture, Korifej Theater and Art and Music Association "Scena".
The announcement adds that since this had to be known to everyone who participated in this process in the Ministry of Culture, the responsible persons in that institution will also be included in the report.
"It is indisputable that the Commission was not an independent and objective collective body, and it remains for the competent authorities to determine why the minister and his associates did not break the chain of illegality by annulling the Decision that caused enormous damage to the public interest and organizations in the field of culture. We regret that in this way, petty and particular interests were affirmed, and a good part of the cultural community of Montenegrin society was degraded. We inform the public that we will use all legal and other legitimate democratic means in order to shed light on the case of this scandalous Decision and prosecute those responsible," the statement reads.
It is stated that activities carried out by non-governmental organizations in the field of culture are mostly outside the focus of donors and therefore support from the Budget of Montenegro is important.
"That is why we will make efforts to establish long-term systemic mechanisms that can prevent similar situations, because it is clear that the existing system has been manipulated and compromised thanks to the shortcomings of the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations and the willingness of individual commission members to perform incredible stunts in order to help their close NGOs , but also by the unwillingness of the authorities in the Ministry to protect the public interest and make sure that taxpayers' money is distributed legally and fairly," the announcement concludes.
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