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Today we observe International Romani Day, celebrating their culture and contribution to society, while reminding of the importance of equality and inclusion. This day is not only an opportunity for celebration but also a strong reminder that discrimination, poverty, and exclusion faced by the Roma community are unacceptable. Systemic changes are needed to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to education and employment, and a dignified life for all citizens. As a civil society organization, we express our commitment to promoting equality and inclusiveness, emphasizing that equality is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. It is our responsibility to create a society in which every child has equal opportunities and every individual has the right to respect and dignity. Through collective action against injustice, we build an inclusive society in which diversity represents strength, not an obstacle.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency show a rise in temperatures, precipitation instability, and an increase in greenhouse gases contributing to climate change. During the five-year period, Montenegro has recorded continuous warming and increasing precipitation instability, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. All years are above the climate norm: 2020 and 2021 were predominantly extremely warm, while 2022–2024 range from “warm” to “extremely warm.” Precipitation varies from very dry to very wet periods, indicating growing climate extremes and risks to agriculture, water resources, and forest ecosystems. Imports of ozone-depleting substances (HCFC-22) have continuously decreased: from 3,087 kg in 2020 to 480–627 kg in the 2022–2024 period. At the same time, imports of alternative HFC gases have increased in 2022–2024 (52–67 t), contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, although reducing the negative impact on the ozone layer. The sectoral inventory shows that the energy sector and industrial processes remain the main sources of CO₂ emissions, while agriculture and land-use change contribute to methane and nitrous oxide emissions. The Agency’s results clearly indicate that the combination of continuous warming, unstable precipitation, and increasing HFC emissions requires urgent action: adapting agriculture and forestry, reducing industrial emissions, and accelerating the transition to sustainable energy. As an NGO dedicated to environmental protection, we emphasize that the Agency’s data highlight the urgency of action. We recommend a transition to renewable energy sources, support for cleaner technologies in industry, adaptation of agriculture and forestry to climate challenges, rational use of HFC gases, and active citizen engagement. Timely and coordinated measures can reduce the risk of extreme weather events and protect ecosystems and quality of life in Montenegro.

Increasingly frequent attacks on journalists remind us how important it is to protect media freedom and enable journalists to do their work without pressure or fear. We express strong support to all journalists who work daily in the public interest. Independent journalism represents one of the key pillars of a democratic society. Journalists play an important role in informing citizens, addressing socially important topics, and encouraging public dialogue. Recently, we have witnessed increasingly frequent attacks and pressures on journalists, which raises concern and reminds us how important it is to continuously work on strengthening a safe environment for their work. Every journalist should have the opportunity to perform their work professionally and responsibly, without fear of threats or violence. As a civil society organization, we want to send a clear message of support to all journalists who, through their work, contribute to transparency, accountability, and informing the public. Supporting journalists means supporting citizens’ right to be informed. That is why it is important that, as a society, we cultivate a culture of respect for the journalistic profession and together contribute to an environment in which journalists can work freely, professionally, and safely.

The non-governmental organization EU Harmonija wishes to once again strongly remind the public of one universal and unquestionable value: there is nothing more important than peace among people and nations. Peace is not only a political ideal nor an abstract concept – it is the foundation of every human life, every society and every civilization. The right to life, freedom of movement, freedom of thought, human dignity and all other fundamental freedoms are inseparably connected with peace. Without peace, all other rights become fragile and uncertain. That is precisely why the preservation of peace represents the highest moral and social obligation of all states, institutions and individuals. In a time of global challenges, divisions and increasingly frequent conflicts, it is important to remind that no political, ideological or economic interest can and must ever be more important than human life. Peace is not only a political category, peace is a civilizational value and a moral obligation of humanity. NGO EU Harmonija calls on all social and political actors, international institutions, civil society organizations and citizens around the world to work persistently on strengthening the culture of dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect. Only through cooperation, understanding and respect for universal human rights is it possible to build a stable, just and secure world. Societies that preserve peace also preserve their most important wealth such as the right to life, freedom and the dignity of every human being. Therefore today, perhaps more than ever, we must clearly and responsibly state that “ The greatest victory of humanity is not in the wars it wins, but in the peace it manages to preserve.”

The non-governmental organization EU Harmonija believes that the issue of protecting children in the digital space must become one of the more important social and institutional issues in Montenegro. The increasingly widespread and earlier exposure of children to social networks carries numerous risks to their psychological, social, and educational development, which is why it is necessary to consider the introduction of clearer rules and mechanisms for controlling minors’ access to these platforms. Today, children spend a significant amount of time on social networks, often without adequate supervision and without developed capacities to recognize the potential dangers of the digital environment. Numerous international studies indicate that excessive use of social networks can have negative consequences for the mental health of children and adolescents, including increased anxiety, decreased self-confidence, attention disorders, exposure to cyberbullying, as well as the development of addiction to digital content. The NGO EU Harmonija believes that introducing restrictions on access to social networks for children under the age of 16, along with adequate age verification mechanisms, could significantly contribute to healthier child development. Such a measure would allow children to devote more time to education, sports, creative activities, and direct social interaction, which is crucial for their proper emotional and social development. In this regard, we believe that the competent institutions in Montenegro should consider the following steps: introducing an age verification system when opening accounts on social networks; the possibility of mandatory parental or guardian consent for users under the age of 16; improving the legislative framework related to child protection on the internet; strengthening the education of parents, teachers, and children on the safe use of digital technologies; launching public campaigns on the impact of social networks on child development. It is encouraging that in Europe there is increasing discussion about the need to regulate this area. As a positive example, the initiative of Spain can be mentioned, which plans to introduce stricter age verification mechanisms for access to social networks in order to limit their availability to children under the age of 16. Such examples show that states are approaching the protection of children in the digital space with increasing seriousness. The NGO EU Harmonija believes that Montenegro, as a society striving toward European standards and modern child protection policies, should in a timely manner initiate a public debate and consider the introduction of similar solutions that would contribute to a safer and healthier digital environment for the youngest. The protection of children in modern digital society must be a shared responsibility of institutions, parents, and society as a whole, because the quality and healthy development of children represent the foundation of the future of every state.

Harmonization of the Laws on Internal Affairs and the National Security Agency with the EU acquis is essential for legal certainty and European integration. Proceeding from the principle of the rule of law and the obligations that Montenegro has in the process of accession to the European Union, the non-governmental organization EU Harmonija expresses concern regarding the European Commission’s assessment that the proposed amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs and the Law on the National Security Agency are not fully aligned with the EU acquis, particularly in the part relating to the protection of personal data. Within the framework of the negotiation process, especially in Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security, the alignment of national legislation with European standards represents a fundamental prerequisite for building a functional, transparent, and democratic security system. We believe that normative solutions governing the work of police and security structures must be fully harmonized with European standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED). Given the sensitivity of the processing of personal data in the security sector, it is necessary to ensure a high level of legal precision, transparency, and institutional safeguards in order to prevent potential abuses of authority and to protect citizens’ rights. In this regard, we consider that, in the interest of legal certainty and the credibility of the European integration process, it is necessary to achieve full alignment of the proposed legislative solutions with the EU acquis before their final adoption. EU Harmonija also emphasizes the importance of clear procedural safeguards, particularly with regard to merit-based recruitment in the police, as well as with regard to the dismissal of officials, which must be grounded in objective reasons while ensuring effective legal remedies. At the same time, we recall that the closing benchmarks for Chapter 24 entail strengthening institutional and human resource capacities to combat organized crime, money laundering, and other forms of serious crime, as well as ensuring effective border control. Normative reforms must therefore be accompanied by the strengthening of the professional capacities of institutions. EU Harmonija calls on the competent institutions, in cooperation with the European Commission, the professional community, and civil society, to further improve the proposed legislative solutions in order to ensure their full alignment with European standards and to secure a stable legal framework for the functioning of the internal security system in Montenegro. The consistent application of European legal standards remains a key condition for strengthening the rule of law and building institutions that operate professionally, lawfully, and in the interest of citizens.

The north of Montenegro is facing serious demographic challenges. Monstat data indicate that the natural population growth is decreasing, and an increasing number of young people are leaving towns in search of better living and working opportunities. Cities such as Pljevlja and Bijelo Polje are recording a declining number of newborns, while schools and local communities are becoming emptier. Although it is clear that economic factors play a key role, the problem also requires long-term strategic measures. Support for families, better housing availability, employment opportunities, and the development of local infrastructure could slow down negative trends. Without such interventions, the decline in natural population growth and the depopulation of the north threaten to become a permanent reality. To change demographic trends, it is necessary to invest in concrete measures that provide young people and families with a sense of security and perspective. This includes support in employment, accessible housing, quality healthcare and educational infrastructure, as well as programs that encourage childbirth and the retention of young people in communities. Only a synergy of economic, social, and local initiatives can strengthen the north of Montenegro and create an environment in which the new generation sees a reason to stay and build their future.

🗣️As a non-governmental association dedicated to the advancement of human rights and respect for legal certainty, we believe that the adoption of amendments to the Law on Internal Trade, which confirm the non-working week, represents a firm confirmation of the fundamental principles of labor law and social protection. The decision of the Assembly confirms the inalienable rights of employees, including the right to rest and preservation of dignity, as well as the balance between professional obligations and private life, which is in accordance with international standards and relevant judicial practice. At the same time, this decision clearly denies the unfounded claims that the non-working week threatens the economy and sets a legally based framework for the further development of policies that place human rights and social responsibility at the center of legislation. Support for changes to the law in this form is unequivocal, principled and based on legal standards that protect workers, confirming society's commitment to law, justice and balance between work and life. ⚖️🤝