After the political party ‘For the Future of Montenegro’ called for a Foreign Agents Law to label NGOs receiving foreign funding as ‘foreign agents,’ a coalition of CSOs, including BCSDN member CRNVO, raised concerns about its potential to undermine human rights and hinder Montenegro’s EU integration. The coalition emphasized that Montenegro’s NGO sector is already regulated by laws ensuring transparency and warned that the proposed law could stifle civil society, following the example of similar laws in Russia and other authoritarian regimes. The U.S. Embassy in Montenegro also expressed deep concern, stating that such a law could restrict civic space, stigmatize NGOs working to improve citizens’ lives, and impede independent media. They clarified that while the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938, referenced by the political party, is aligned with international human rights obligations and respects freedom of association and expression, it does not aim to limit civil society or media activities, unlike what the proposed Montenegrin law could potentially do.
Source: vjesti.me/ CDT portal