Non-governmental organization 35mm believes that the proposal of the coalition "For the Future of Montenegro" on the adoption of the law on foreign agents represents a serious threat to democracy and freedom in Montenegro.
Such a law, as they said, undermines democratic principles and could limit the work of non-governmental organizations and independent media, stigmatize them as foreign agents and make it difficult for them to contribute to a democratic society.
"With the initiative for the adoption of the Law on Foreign Agents, the coalition 'For the Future of Montenegro' shows its 'true commitment' to EU integration, following the example of its regional and global role models," the announcement reads.
It is clear, they add from the NGO 35mm, that the leaders of the ZBCG coalition Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević want to discipline non-governmental organizations and civil activists, and to bring citizens into a single mind, and not to encourage critical thinking. What they forget, as it is pointed out, is that these same citizens pay them for functions that they should perform in public, not personal interest.
"Instead of proposing and adopting EU laws and encouraging critical thinking, all for the sake of the welfare of the state, those mentioned want to strengthen the influence of their like-minded people and role models, who promote and adopt laws contrary to EU values," said the NGO 35mm.
If the intention was to really fight against different influences, they add, we would have legal initiatives concerning misinformation, initiatives that explain to citizens how narratives are being marketed to them, or in the end, politicians who go about their business, but "individual priorities are obviously they still reduce it to calculations, because progress is not something they have in the forefront". Instead of growing as a society and fighting to live in a community where we understand what it means to be inclusive and respect different opinions, we seem to be wasting precious time on a fundamental misunderstanding of social processes, they added.
However, as they said, the fact and the announcement of other political actors that they will not support the law, and the clear position of the Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, are pleasing.
"NGO 35mm tells the coalition 'For the future of Montenegro' to turn to the state and the citizens who pay them, and to finally start dealing with issues related to poor economic standards, inflation, poor health care system, mistrust in institutions and the like. And that in the end, by their own example, they reduce foreign influence in Montenegro," the announcement reads.
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