STRICTLY: Municipal authorities in Herceg Novi ignore request to celebrate Independence Day

The informal citizens' organization STEGA, as one of the organizers of the Independence Day celebration on May 21 in Herceg Novi, announced that the competent municipal body in Herceg Novi has not provided any response to the request even after 12 days from the submission of the request, which was submitted on April 3.

The request refers to the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence, which is planned to be held on May 21st at Nikola Đurković Square at 15 p.m., organized by STEGA, UBNOR and the citizens of Herceg Novi.

"This event and all activities related to it are organized and financed from their donations and personal engagement by the citizens of Herceg Novi themselves and their friends from other cities in Montenegro, because the local government has not expressed its willingness to mark one of the most important national holidays and jubilee celebrated at the state level of Montenegro. Ignoring the duly submitted request represents a more than irresponsible attitude towards the organizers and all citizens of Herceg Novi who have the right, but above all a great desire, to mark one of the most important dates in contemporary Montenegrin history," STEGA was informed.

They point out that such behavior raises not only the question of the willingness of local institutions to act in accordance with the interests of the citizens of Herceg Novi, but also a direct violation of the Constitution and laws that define the right to public gatherings:

"So we once again publicly demand that the competent authority act on the request without further delay and submit a response within the legally prescribed deadline," it was announced.