Evropski standardi participacije nacionalnih manjina u javnom i političkom životu, s posebnim osvrtom na Crnu Goru
European standards of participation of national minorities in public and political life, with special emphasize on Montenegro

Summary/Abstract: Integration of minorities in a society is connected with the inclusion of minorities in all spheres of public life of that contemporary democratic community, not only in its cultural aspect. Furthermore, despite the great importance which has preservation of cultural and national identity, by providing the use of the minority language and script, and the preservation of minority cultures, religions and traditions – primarily through education, political participation takes increasingly the most important place to ensure the full integration of minorities and protection of their assimilation. Participation of national and ethnic minorities in the public, economic and political life provides democratic decision-making, which is essential for the establishment of a multicultural democracy and realization of the rule of law. It refers to decision-making at all levels, from local to regional and national, as well as to all kinds of decisions, both those that are relevant to a particular minority group, and those pertaining to the society as the whole. European standards of national minority participation in public and political life are actually related to standards of modern democracy in the age of multiculturalism, which arise through the application of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities of the Council of Europe and OSCE documents and acts of the European Union. The fulfillment of these standards is a prerequisite for membership in the European Union and the countries of the Western Balkans are under special observation in that regard. This paper deals with European standards in minority rights protection, as well as with the law and practice of Montenegro, in the context of effective participation of minorities in public affairs and public life while enjoying minority political rights.

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