On International Human Rights Day, the AIRE Centre is highlighting and supporting an initiative of the Constitutional Court of Montenegro to recognise outstanding student writing on constitutionalism, freedom and the rule of law.
As part of a competition marking 120 years since the adoption of the Constitution of the Principality of Montenegro, the Constitutional Court awarded prizes for the best student essays on the theme: From Freedom to Constitutionality – Do the Ideals of the St. Nicholas Constitution Still Live in Contemporary Montenegro?
The first prize was awarded to Nedim Nokić, a second-year student at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro. Second place went to Vasilisa Batrićević, a third-year law student at the University of Donja Gorica, and third place to Ksenija Marinović, a third-year law student at the University of Mediteran.
Snežana Armenko, President of the Constitutional Court and Chair of the jury, stressed that the Constitution of the Principality of Montenegro represents the courage, wisdom and determination of generations to understand constitutional values within the time in which they live.
“The three awarded essays represent the best of today’s student community – young people preparing to take on responsibilities that are far from simple. The decision was nuanced. The first-prize essay stood out not only because it explored the relationship between constitutional past and present, but because it also engaged in a serious critique of social realities to which the Constitutional Court must never remain silent”, Armenko said.
Martina Raguž, Head of Strategic Engagement and Legal Affairs of the AIRE Centre, underlined that supporting this initiative is part of a wider commitment to human rights and democratic standards.
“On Human Rights Day, it is especially important to invest in legal education and in young people who are willing to think critically about constitutional principles in practice — not only in theory. These essays show that Montenegro has a generation that understands the responsibility and strength of the rule of law. The country’s European path depends on that readiness: to defend rights, insist on accountability, and strengthen institutions. On behalf of the AIRE Centre, I congratulate all participants and thank the Constitutional Court for its trust and continued partnership”, Raguž said.
The winning essays will be published on the Constitutional Court of Montenegro’s website and in its Bulletin.
