Montenegro is a multiethnic country with minorities constituting large portion of the population. According to the 2003 census, 43 percent of the total population were Montenegrins, 32 percent Serbs, 8 percent Bosnians, 5 percent Albanians, 4 percent Muslims, 1 percent Croats, and 7 percent other minority groups. Such demographic composition indicates immense importance that the issue of minority rights has in Montenegro. One of the burning issues in Montenegrin society after the adoption of new Constitution and in the time of European integrations is adoption of new legislative solutions which would provide adequate representation of minorities in National Parliament. The Government has declared, in several situations, that it is not being able to find a proper way in electoral legislation which would resolve the existing problem, and please minorities in Montenegro. But, at the same time, the Government’s officials expressed willingness to cooperate with the civil society in this field and invited them to give their proposals.
Focus of CEMI’s research proposal is to develop its existing research and policy oriented capacities and to prepare adequate policy study for decision makers on how to resolve one of the most important representational problems in new legislation – representation of minorities. In this way CEMI would initiate support for comparative and evidence-based policy making in Montenegro. The project would also enhance intellectual regional cooperation, exchange of experience between think tank organizations by organizing panel discussion of regional character.
Namely, research proposal has three phases:
- Research phase (Research phase will include two parallel activities: Comparative Analysis and Qualitative Research Method (Focus groups and In depth interviews). Comparative analysis will include cases of minority representation in European Union and ExYu countries. Examining and comparing different models of minority representation in National Assemblies will help us in matching the most appropriate model for Montenegro. Public survey will include qualitative research method - focus groups and in-depth interviews will be organized with members of Minority Councils in Montenegro, Members of minority political parties, Members of minority civil organizations and Members of mainstream political parties.
- Creation of policy papers (Research team will create Policy study on models of national minorities representation in National Parliament and create a Model on minority representations in Montenegrin Parliament)
- Dissemination and Advocacy (Organizing panel discussion where regional think tank representatives will have a word and where CEMI’s policy study will be presented and disseminated)
