Group of NGOs and civic activists: Dismiss members of the Council of the National Library "Radosav Ljumović"

Non-governmental organizations and civic activists appealed for the dismissal of the members of the Council of the National Library "Radosav Ljumović" who, contrary to the Law on Memorials, made the decision to change the name of the institution to "Marko Miljanov Library".

"Since the session of the Capital City Assembly has been called for July 29 and the initiative to dismiss the members of the Council, submitted by the Party of European Progress, has already been included in the agenda, we call on the councilors to vote for their dismissal. We expect that in their place will be appointed reputable persons who meet the prescribed conditions, who, as members of the councils of public cultural institutions, are expected to protect the anti-fascist and constitutional values ​​of Montenegro through their actions," reads a joint statement by several NGOs and civic activists.

On July 3, members of the Council of the "Radosav Ljumović" National Library made a decision to change the name of the institution without following the procedure prescribed by the Law on Memorials. According to that law, the name of a public institution that preserves the memory of a prominent figure is considered a memorial, and changing its name requires following the procedure stipulated in the Memorials Erection Program, which is adopted by the Capital City Assembly with the prior consent of the Ministry of Culture and Media.

"The change of the name of the Library cannot be carried out solely on the basis of a decision of the Council, but only in compliance with the procedure prescribed by the Law on Memorials. The powers from the Library Statute cannot be the basis for circumventing the legal procedure. Although disguised as paying additional tribute to Marko Miljanov, the existing Council has attempted to eliminate the memory of Radosav Ljumović and the anti-fascist heritage he represented from the public space with this decision. Primary schools in Podgorica and Bijelo Polje already bear the name of Marko Miljanov, as well as streets in Podgorica, Nikšić, Žabljak and Mojkovac. There is his monument in the center of Podgorica, his bust in Berane, and a museum dedicated to him in Kuči that preserves the memory of his life and work. On the other hand, as far as we know, in Montenegro, the only name that has been given to Radosav Ljumović, an avant-garde intellectual, poet, journalist and Spanish fighter, is the National Library in Podgorica. The library has had that name since 1959, and he was considered "generally accepted. It has never been publicly disputed," it was announced.

They remind that Novica Đurić, Emilo Labudović and Bećir Vuković voted in favor of the decision to change the name.

"Đurić and Labudović were promoters of warmongering propaganda during the JNA attack on Dubrovnik. For years, Vuković has publicly glorified the Chetnik movement, denied the Montenegrin nation, and relativized the anti-fascist heritage. Due to the very controversial award of the Thirteenth of July Award, which was awarded to him last year, both civil proceedings and an investigation are underway due to suspicion of falsification of data on the publication of the book "Houses of the Homeless", for which he received this highest state award, along with a lifetime monthly financial allowance," they said.

The Library Statute stipulates that the president and members of the Council may be dismissed before the end of their term if they act contrary to the law or the Library Statute, or if they fail to protect the public interest.

"We believe that the members of the Council who voted for this decision met both conditions for dismissal because they acted contrary to the Law on Memorials and also showed that they did not protect the public interest. Additionally, we believe that persons who do not care about anti-fascism should not be appointed as members of the Council of an educational public institution such as the Library. The illegal decision to rename is not the only reason to review the work of the Library and the Council. Fidelity Consulting published striking data that in 2025 the Library paid for books from the publisher 'Nova knjiga' at an average price of almost 100 euros, although the average price of the same purchases two years earlier was around 12,5 euros. The competent authorities should urgently examine the legality of these public purchases and determine possible liability. We expect that the Capital City Assembly, by voting to dismiss the existing Council, will demonstrate its readiness to protect the rule of law, as well as the culture of remembrance of the fighters against fascism," the statement reads.

The statement is signed by the Human Rights Action (HRA), Juventas, Prima, Prazan Prostor, the Štrpci Association – Against Oblivion, Antifascists of Cetinje, Civic Initiative 21 May, the Center for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO), the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG), the Center for Civic Education (CCE), the Center for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA, the Center for Women's Rights (CŽP), the Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), IPSO Facto, the Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG), the Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights, Fidelity Consulting, as well as civic activists Dina Bajramspahić, Jovana Marović, Paula Petričević, Milena Bešić, Mladen Ivanović and Aleksandar Dragićević.