Issued by\u00a0Transparency International Secretariat<\/p>\n
Together with its Montenegrin chapter, MANS, Transparency International reiterates its\u00a0opposition\u00a0to unconstitutional amendments to the Law on Classified Information in Montenegro, which would undermine the country\u2019s freedom of information laws and anti-corruption efforts. The draft law was already withdrawn once by the government in March this year, after a coalition of 25 Montenegrin NGOs\u00a0spoke out\u00a0against it. The government is now proposing a \u2018public debate\u2019 over the draft law, without changing the previously withdrawn draft. The proposed public debate would consist of a single round-table meeting on 9 July 2019.<\/p>\n
The proposed law would allow the government to declare information classified if its disclosure would affect the ability of a government body to function. It would also remove controls over the manner in which state bodies declare information classified.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis brazen attempt by the government of Montenegro to push through this legislation after adding a veneer of public consultation is cynical and ill-intended,\u201d said Delia Ferreira Rubio, Chair of Transparency International. \u201cAs we\u2019ve previously said, the ability of a government agency to function in a corrupt manner beneath a shroud of secrecy should never be protected by law.\u201d<\/p>\n
In its\u00a0latest report on Montenegro, the European Commission said that Montenegro should reverse the growing trend of public institutions declaring information\u00a0classified as a matter of priority, as it prevents\u00a0effective oversight by civil society.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt that the government has proposed these amendments to hide corruption,\u201d said Vanja Calovic, Executive Director of MANS. \u201cA number of court rulings have already confirmed the practice of classifying information to cover corrupt offences. The public of Montenegro have a constitutional right to access information held by the government. Despite clear requirements to improve public access to information, the\u00a0government is taking Montenegro backwards and further limiting space for civil society and media. This, in a captured state ruled by the\u00a0same elite for over 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Transparency International and MANS insist that the aspects of the law that contravene the Constitution of Montenegro and the government\u2019s obligations under international agreements should be removed from the draft law. Any public consultation regarding the amendments should be conducted in a thorough manner aimed at securing the widest possible participation.<\/p>\n
For any press enquiries please contact<\/p>\n
Michael Hornsby<\/strong>
\nE:\u00a0press@transparency.org<\/strong>
\nT: +49 30 34 38 20 666<\/strong><\/p>\n