Category Archives: Montenegro

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Education

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Montenegro and Education

The focus of a recent consultation organized by the Institute for Education was on improving reading, writing, and comprehension skills among students from the Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro. The consultation aimed to share experiences and introduce new educational materials to enhance literacy and support children in their learning processes.

Two educational materials were developed: a picture dictionary for preschool and early elementary students and a manual for literacy education, both aimed at fostering language development and cultural sensitivity.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

The NGO ‘Mladi Romi’ emphasizes that education and employment are crucial for overcoming poverty among Roma and Egyptian families in Montenegro, highlighting persistent issues despite some progress over the past 21 years.

Recent studies indicate that a significant percentage of Roma children lack access to early education and that only a small fraction of young adults complete secondary education, underscoring the need for systemic change.

The organization calls for increased investment in education, legal employment opportunities, and active involvement of the Roma community in creating sustainable solutions to poverty.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

The Roma Council of Montenegro warns against discussing European values and the rule of law while ignoring the long-standing discrimination of Roma in political representation. They call on lawmakers to address the electoral census for the Roma community and rectify injustices in political representation.

The Council emphasizes that if constitutional changes proceed without addressing these issues, it undermines the principles of equality and non-discrimination in Montenegro.

Europe Montenegro News Eastern Europe

EU Enlargement and Roma

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EU Enlargement and Roma

The seventh ministerial meeting on the integration of Roma in the EU enlargement process was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to improve the situation of the Roma community.

Officials highlighted the importance of transforming policies into tangible results, focusing on education, employment, and combating discrimination.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to regional cooperation and the belief that Roma inclusion is crucial for human rights and economic potential in the Western Balkans.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Education in Montenegro

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Education in Montenegro

Education is crucial for the social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, with ongoing challenges and improvements in the educational system highlighted by Sultan Beća from the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights.

Significant measures include dedicated scholarships and housing support for students from the Roma and Egyptian communities, aiming to enhance their educational success and social integration.

The government is committed to continuing efforts to prevent early school dropout and ensure that students from vulnerable backgrounds have the resources needed to pursue higher education.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro – Equal Opportunity

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Montenegro – Equal Opportunity

The NGO for the support of Roma and Egyptians emphasizes that educational inclusion must be measured by tangible opportunities for children, such as access to schools and scholarships, rather than just strategies and public messages.

Positive progress has been noted in the educational and social inclusion of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, with the Ministry of Education playing a key role in improving their situation.

The organization stresses the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including the Roma community, to create effective policies and ensure equal educational opportunities for all children.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Integration in Montenegro

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Integration in Montenegro

The article discusses a project supported by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro aimed at improving the integration of the Roma and Egyptian communities in Nikšić through various activities, including workshops and training sessions.

A final panel event was held to discuss the support for the full inclusion of the Roma and Egyptian communities, featuring representatives from various sectors, including education and local government.

Key indicators of the project’s success include the active participation of youth from the Roma and Egyptian communities in identifying problems and proposing solutions, as well as improved collaboration between local authorities and NGOs.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Representation

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Montenegro and Representation

The Council of Youth Initiatives in Montenegro urges authorities to prioritize authentic political representation for the Roma community in electoral reforms, aiming for a representative in the Montenegrin Assembly.

The EU’s annual report highlights the vulnerable status of Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro, who face discrimination and hate crimes.

The Council emphasizes that authentic representation would enhance political participation and trust in institutions, and they propose a legal mechanism to ensure this representation based on electoral success.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

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Ethnic Cleansing and Pogrom

In April 1995, the Roma settlement in Danilovgrad, Montenegro, was completely destroyed during an anti-Roma pogrom after two young Roma were accused of having raped a local girl.

A police academy was built on the site of the settlement with no memorial left at the site.

Human rights activist Aleksandar Saša Zeković has called for a memorial to acknowledge the historical injustice and educate future police officers about the importance of protecting minority rights.

The UN Committee against Torture found that Montenegro violated international conventions by failing to prevent the violence and subsequent forced eviction of the Roma community.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

School Dropouts

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School Dropouts

The city of Podgorica and the NGO Center for Roma Initiatives have published a book addressing the causes and consequences of Roma and Egyptian children’s dropout from primary education, authored by Fana Delija.

The book emphasizes the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty and discrimination, urging policymakers to ensure that no child drops out of school and to promote social integration.

The publication coincides with the European Day of Remembrance for the Roma genocide during World War II, aiming to foster understanding and combat racial discrimination in Montenegro.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

NGOs in Montenegro

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NGOs in Montenegro

The NGO “Mladi Romi Podgorice” received funding for the project “One Country, Many Stories: An Intercultural Journey of Youth through Montenegro” aimed at enhancing intercultural dialogue and understanding between Roma, Egyptian, and majority youth in Montenegro.

The other article discusses the financial support of 120,000 euros provided to the NGO Elita Plus, co-founded by Astrit Hodža, the Secretary of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Various projects funded by the ministry over the years are detailed, highlighting significant amounts awarded to Elita Plus, which has led to calls for an investigation into possible misuse of public office.

The NGO Network from the north of Montenegro has urged authorities to examine the circumstances surrounding the funding and the involvement of Hodža, who has been in office since June 2022.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Child Marriages

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Child Marriages

Child marriages, particularly in Roma communities in Montenegro, continue despite legal prohibitions, with many girls entering into arranged marriages as young as 12 or 14 years old.

Victims like Jasmina recount experiences of abuse and lack of agency, with decisions about their marriages made by male family members without their consent.

Organizations are working to combat child marriages, but many cases remain unreported due to societal pressures and the normalization of these practices within the communities.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Roma

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Montenegro and Roma

The Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro face structural discrimination, low living standards, and limited access to education, employment, and social security, necessitating long-term interventions for true equality and integration.

A significant portion of individuals at risk of statelessness are children, with many lacking birth registration, which is essential for legal identity.

Despite existing laws and programs aimed at inclusion, high levels of discrimination persist, particularly in education and employment, leading to poverty and social isolation among these communities.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

Ivan Radulović emphasizes the need to correct the position of the Roma and Egyptian communities in Montenegro before implementing guaranteed parliamentary mandates for minority representatives.

He argues that while guaranteed mandates are necessary, they should not replace affirmative action but rather complement it, ensuring fairness in existing measures.

The call for a lower electoral threshold for Roma and Egyptians has been ongoing for over a decade, but reforms to electoral laws are currently stalled, raising concerns about genuine representation in parliament.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Action Plan Montenegro

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Action Plan Montenegro

The Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy to improve the quality of life for Roma and Egyptians in Montenegro (2026-2027) aims to enhance their social standing through specific measures in education, employment, health care, and social protection.

Key initiatives include increasing educational access, job training programs, and the establishment of mediators to facilitate communication between communities and institutions.

The plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government bodies, local authorities, and civil society to achieve tangible results in improving the living conditions and rights of the Roma and Egyptian communities.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Discrimination in Montenegro

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Discrimination in Montenegro

Roma in Montenegro face ongoing challenges, including housing conditions, education access, employment opportunities, and societal prejudices.

Activist Shejla Pepić highlights the discrimination faced by women in the Roma community and emphasizes the importance of education and activism.

Minister Fatmir Đeka notes improvements in the status of the Roma population, including reduced unemployment rates and increased educational enrollment among Roma children.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Podgorica Summit

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Podgorica Summit

The 2nd European Roma Summit in Podgorica focused on the position of Roma in Europe, media roles, education, youth participation, and collaboration between institutions and civil society organizations.

Discussions included improving human rights, combating discrimination, preserving Roma identity, and increasing Roma representation in decision-making processes.

A panel on digital journalism highlighted the importance of media in empowering the Roma community and breaking stereotypes, emphasizing the need for more Roma voices in media and digital platforms.

Podgorica Summit

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Roma in Montenegro

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Roma in Montenegro

Elvis Beriša, the executive director of the NGO “Walk with Us,” discussed the marginalization of the Roma community in Montenegro in a podcast episode titled “Roma and Political Parties – Between Representation and Marginalization.”

He described the current status of the Roma community as “very unequal” compared to other minority communities, a sentiment he has held for the past decade.

Beriša emphasized that perceptions of the Roma community are changing slowly, and there is a need for greater awareness of their ability to participate in policy-making at both state and local levels.

Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Montenegro and Roma Representation

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Montenegro and Roma Representation

The Montenegrin Roma Council is asking for electoral reform in Montenegro to guarantee the representation of Roma in the parliament. The article here is very critical of this, stating that the Roma Council is acting as a satellite of the Democratic Socialist Party (DPS).

In any case, reserved seats fro minorities are not a solution.

Bulgaria Montenegro News Eastern Europe

Arranged Marriages

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Arranged Marriages

An article on the still existing practice of arranges marrianges among Roma in Montenegro. Apparently, 17 cases of human trafficking were recorded in this context between 2020 and 2026 by the police.

The tradition of paying for the bride only exists among Vlach Roma and is probably due to the prevalence of slavery agianst Roma in Romanian lands. The owner of the bride had to be compensated.

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