April 11, 2019 - NGO representatives argue that the Government does not consult them when deciding on and writing laws, although the European Union (EU) requires them. They warn that the Government of Duško Marković, as well as the previous one, tried to reduce the influence of NGO representatives in working groups and ignore their views. Executive Director of the Center for Civic Education (CGO-CCE) Daliborka Uljarevic believes that the gap between authorities and critically oriented NGOs is huge, warning that the "most devastating campaign of co-workers" is most contributing to this.
"The time has passed when offenses can be in response to the argument critique coming from NGOs that have built up credibility and expertise. The research of public opinion proves that such blazing action was cumbersome and that the government outgrew them when NGOs were stronger. About 51 percent of the citizens surveyed said they had trust in NGOs, and the president of the state, the Assembly and the government did not believe much," said Uljarević.
In the progress reports of the European Commission (EC), for years, there is evidence of insufficient cooperation between the civil sector and state institutions, while government representatives claim to take the views of NGOs and engage them in working groups. On the other hand, NGOs claim that their representatives in state institutions are marginalized, as well as that no public hearings are being held when writing the law. The law on data secrecy, which was not in public debate, was withdrawn by the government last week to instigate the civilian sector. "That was the only reasonable move because it was an overwhelming text that only further narrowed the space for the democratization of Montenegro and spread to manipulation of power and their close circles," Uljarević claims.
President of the Alternative Institute's Management Board (IA) Stevo Muk explains that the Government does not use NGOs in public policy reports and conducts comprehensive research. He warns that the government is trying to deceive the finds of NGOs and the more beautiful image of their work.
"When NGOs are involved in some workgroups and bodies, they are trying to reduce the potential of our influence in any way. It is an indication that there is no substantial openness to the critical attitude and role of the civilian sector as a control factor. Avoiding public hearings is one of many attempts to circumvent the public when proposing a law on data secrecy, circumventing the public in important cases, such as new solutions to public procurement or protection of competition," says Muk.
Executive Director CRNVO Ana Novakovic points out that the government's approach to the civilian sector is still focused on meeting formal EU requirements rather than on substantive dialogue and solving critical issues. She recalls that there is an institutional framework for discussion, established due to EU pressure.
"The government has no stance and does not open up space for exchanging opinions on the fact that representatives of NGOs are unlawfully removed from working and advised bodies, the freedom of expression is limited, the media pressure of a part of the media on the activists facing their reputation ruin. The government is obliged to have a clear attitude about these phenomena," Novakovic said.
"At the time of the presidential and local elections in Podgorica and during the DPS's public service, we had the culmination of negative rhetoric on critical NGOs. Now again, protests are labeled by NGOs and the media. The government and the ruling party uses every opportunity to over-mediate public media to offer critical NGOs as "evil, ugly and dirty," thus frightening other critical voices in society.
An illustrative example of a campaign directed against the CGO in the broadcasting media in which over 500 negative articles and media reports have been published," Muk says.
Text by Samir Kajosevic, Vijesti
