The protest by parents in front of the Constitutional Court in Podgorica, who believe that the state should not condition access to preschool education on a child's vaccination status, has ended.
The protest titled "Children have the right to kindergarten. Parents have the right to choose" began at 10 am, when a public debate on mandatory vaccination as a condition for children to attend kindergartens was scheduled.
You can see banners that say "We won't give you children", "Since when have politicians become doctors", "We are all Vesko", "Whose children are ours"...
One of the parents, Nebojša Janjević, said that if by any chance the Constitutional Court decides that the law is in order and will be implemented as such, that's not the end of the story.
"The Assembly has the right to amend the request," he said.
He said there are conflicting views, and said they are not claiming that the MMR vaccine causes autism.
"We are just reviewing those views," he said.
Ema Mujezinović, a mother of three children, said they were protesting against the measure banning kindergarten for children.
She emphasized that this is unconstitutional, and that the profession does not want to hear the other side of the parents.
Parent Novak Raičković said he expects the Constitutional Court to respond conscientiously to the citizens of Montenegro.
He called the measures "shameful" and said that kindergartens were "only opening for one".
"We will continue the protests and are considering blocking kindergartens. Why not," he said.
Anđela Andjić, a representative of the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Luča slobode", said that she was sorry that the Constitutional Court had made a decision that they could not be passed on to judges and professionals.
"On this side, freedom will always be felt."
She said that they saw that the fight was like a windmill. She said that she would not lose hope, but would continue the fight.
Doctor Samir Kurtćehajić thanked the parents for their support of the rally. He emphasized that he was addressing the gathering as a free citizen, adding that he was not against vaccination.
"But I am against the measures and these mechanisms. The mechanisms that are being implemented are devastating for healthcare and the system. They do not leave people a free choice," said Kurtćehajić.
He said that the mechanisms are excessive, as there is no circumstance that would justify implementing the procedures.
He deemed them discriminatory and counterproductive.
"The psychological and social well-being of children is at risk..." he said.
Although some of the parents began to disperse, the protest organizers said they would remain in front of the Constitutional Court until the end of the public hearing.
A public hearing in the procedure for assessing the constitutionality of the legal solution that prescribes vaccination as a condition for children to attend public and private preschool institutions is being held at the Constitutional Court.
The institution previously announced that it would discuss the provisions of the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases, which stipulate that mandatory vaccination is required for children to attend public and private preschool institutions, except in the case of a permanent medical contraindication for a particular immunization.
The Constitutional Court announced that representatives of the non-governmental organizations Parents' Association and Alternative Montenegro, which submitted the initiatives, will participate in the public hearing.
"The applicants believe that the disputed legal solution is not in accordance with the Constitution of Montenegro and ratified and published international treaties. Among other things, they claim that it restricts children's access to preschool upbringing and education and that such a restriction of human rights is not proportionate to the goal sought to be achieved," the Constitutional Court stated.
They said that representatives from the Ministry of Health will also participate in the public debate.
As they stated, expert opinions will be presented by epidemiologist and representative of the Institute of Public Health Dragan Laušević, epidemiologist and representative of UNICEF Senad Begić, coordinator of UNICEF's child rights monitoring program Nela Krnić, and head of the World Health Organization Office in Montenegro Mina Brajović.
The Court said that Nevena Vučković Šahović, an expert in international law and children's rights, and Ivana Mihić, a psychologist and expert in developmental psychology, family psychology and early child development, will also participate in the public hearing.
"For the purposes of public debate and decision-making, with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe through the joint program "Horizontal Facility", an international expert has been engaged to analyze comparative legal solutions in the member states of the Council of Europe," the Court said.
They invited all interested citizens to listen to the arguments of the participants and the opinions of experts on this important social issue.
The Constitutional Court said that, due to the limited capacity of the courtroom and the spatial conditions in which the court operates, it is physically impossible to allow citizens to attend.
"The Constitutional Court respects the right of citizens to peacefully assemble and express their views and understands the interest of those who will gather in front of the Court building. The Court calls on them to express their views peacefully and without disrupting public debate," the statement said.
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