Initiative submitted to Parliament for the adoption of a resolution condemning all forms of neo-fascism and reaffirming antifascist values

The Centre for Civic Education and the Antifascists of Cetinje submitted an initiative to the Parliament of Montenegro today, calling for the adoption of a Resolution condemning all forms of neo-fascism and reaffirming the antifascist heritage and values.

They believe that such an act is both socially and politically necessary and represents a responsible response to what they describe as the troubling glorification of fascist and collaborationist ideologies, symbols, and individuals in Montenegro and the wider region. They further elaborated on their initiative.

- Modern Montenegro was founded on the principles of the antifascist struggle and is constitutionally defined as a civic state. Antifascism is not merely part of Montenegro’s historical legacy, nor is it limited to the memory of the Second World War and the National Liberation Struggle; it represents one of the country’s fundamental values and an expression of its centuries-old tradition of freedom - they stated.

The Antifascists of Cetinje and CCE called on the Parliament of Montenegro to clearly and unequivocally affirm that there is no place in a democratic and European Montenegro for the glorification of fascist movements, their collaborators, and ideologies that left behind crimes, persecution, and mass suffering.

They recalled that in recent years there has been an increasing number of attempts at ideologically motivated historical revisionism, the relativization of crimes, and the public glorification of individuals and movements associated with fascist ideologies.

They warned that such phenomena are not merely a matter of differing historical interpretations, but a serious social and security issue that encourages extremism, deepens divisions, and increases ethnic distance and mistrust.

They expressed particular concern over the portrayal of war criminals and individuals responsible for ethnic cleansing as heroes or patriots, arguing that such practices normalize hate speech and undermine the culture of remembrance.

According to them, the adoption of this resolution would represent the first institutional step toward systematically combating dangerous narratives that glorify crimes and perpetrators, while also sending a strong message that Montenegro remains committed to its historical, constitutional, and European values.

- As such, it should receive the support of all members of Parliament who place antifascism, democratic values, and the dignity of Montenegro above partisan and ideological divisions - they added.

They further stated that the Resolution is fully aligned with Montenegro’s European path.

- Modern Europe and the European Union were built on the experience of victory over fascism and on the commitment that such ideologies must never be allowed to reappear. The European integration process is not merely a technical exercise in meeting benchmarks, but a deeply transformative process of embracing democratic values, the rule of law, anti-discrimination principles, and respect for human dignity - they emphasized.

They believe that the Resolution would also serve as an important incentive for institutions to fulfill their obligations more consistently and decisively, and within their legal mandates to promptly sanction hate speech, the public glorification of fascist ideologies, and all attempts to incite national or religious intolerance.

- The glorification of war criminals and crimes committed in the name of neo-fascist ideologies constitutes a form of hate speech and directly insults victims and their descendants. A condemnation issued by Parliament would send a strong message to the citizens of Montenegro and demonstrate the responsible attitude of political actors toward the offices they hold, the state they represent, and its fundamental values - the statement reads.

They also noted that on 29 April 2026, the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted a similar resolution, with only one vote against, following an initiative by SDP representatives Saša Magazinović and Jasmin Imamović.