Hajduković: The Administrative Court must rule that the jury for the July 13th Award acted unlawfully

AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

Montenegrin scientist Dragan Hajduković announced today that he will file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court regarding the decision on the awarding of the July 13th Award, and emphasized that the court must rule that the jury acted unlawfully.

"The moment it is proven that the jury acted unlawfully, we will have achieved a victory.

Article 17 of the Law on State Awards of Montenegro contains only 89 words. Whoever has read those 89 words knows that the July 13th Award is granted for exceptional achievements in the fields of culture and artistic creation, sports, natural and social sciences, the economy, and ecology. The last, third paragraph of this law states that no more than one award can be given in the same field. If three artists receive the award, that is unlawful.

The law includes this article to protect various fields from discrimination. The jury’s decision is not only unlawful, but also discriminatory toward all other areas of creative work. I would focus on obtaining a ruling from the Administrative Court that the award is invalid,” Hajduković said.

The Culture Editorial Board of the Strategy for a European and Civic Montenegro – STEGA, announced at today’s press conference a blockade and protest gathering in response to what they claim is an unlawful decision regarding this year’s July 13th Award.

The protest is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., in front of the Villa Gorica residence, where the President of the Parliament, Andrija Mandić, is expected to present the July 13th Awards to this year’s recipients: writer Bećir Vuković, musician Miloš Karadaglić, and graphic artist Veljo Stanišić.