The United States is deeply concerned about the possible consequences that the proposed law on foreign agents could have on democracy, human rights and basic freedoms, including freedom of expression and association in Montenegro, which is a NATO ally and a candidate for EU membership, the US Embassy has told CdM.
The For the Future of Montenegro (ZBCG) coalition announced two days ago that they would urgently propose a law on agents of foreign influence.
The US Embassy emphasizes that such a law could limit the space for civil action, stigmatize civil society organizations that work to improve the lives of Montenegrin citizens, and hinder the critical work of independent media that report to the public based on facts.
“Those elements are extremely important for all democratic institutions and systems”, the Embassy points out.
It is stressed that the US Embassy has not seen the details of ZBCG’s proposal and cannot comment on the alleged similarities to the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) of 1938 that the ZBCG is referring to.
“FARA is consistent with the United States’ international human rights obligations and respects the rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression. FARA does not seek to limit the activities of civil society organizations or the media”, the US Embassy has concluded in a statement to CdM.
