Montenegro proposes to fine people who don't stand for national anthem

[Stevicus]

Montenegro to fine people who don't stand for anthem - CNN

People who don't stand during Montenegro's national anthem could be fined up to 2,000 euros ($2,290), according to new legislation proposed by the government.

Authorities want to amend the existing Law on State Symbols and the Statehood Day of Montenegro to include penalties ranging from 300 to 2,000 euros "imposed on a natural person if they do not rise during the performance of the anthem." The draft amendment was passed by the country's Cabinet last week.

Asked by CNN if the law would be imposed on foreign nationals, Montenegro's government spokesperson said the regulation would apply to everyone present during the anthem's performance. People with disabilities would be exempt and allowed to pay their respects in "other ways" that have not been defined in the legislation.

Does a government have a right to force people to stand for the national anthem?

It does seem rather curious that they would propose this. I wonder what motivated it. I haven't heard of anyone taking the knee during Montenegro's national anthem.

I wonder if this will give any U.S. politicians any ideas.

Maybe it's only a matter of picking out the right anthem. I would certainly rise for this national anthem:

 

[Revoltingest]

Here's another unforgettable Stooge song...

 

[TheBannerofHomuraAkemi]

Don't they think thats a bit fascist?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Montenegro to fine people who don't stand for anthem - CNN



Does a government have a right to force people to stand for the national anthem?

It does seem rather curious that they would propose this. I wonder what motivated it. I haven't heard of anyone taking the knee during Montenegro's national anthem.

I wonder if this will give any U.S. politicians any ideas.

Maybe it's only a matter of picking out the right anthem. I would certainly rise for this national anthem:

Levying a fine is over reach.

Particularly in a free country unless of course the desire is to be a Banana Republic.

I don't know how close Montenegro is with the US in terms of similarity of laws and constitutions, I'm assuming it's a country with similar values unless I'm wrong.

 

[Anthem]

I once met someone who had been on holiday (in india??) And they had to stand up for prayer but they were in a cab and the driver had locked the doors so they were arrested for not standing up.

 

[Nakosis]

Montenegro to fine people who don't stand for anthem - CNN

Does a government have a right to force people to stand for the national anthem?

A government has the right to do whatever they can enforce. "Rights" are not rights if they can't be enforced.

Reminds me of a story about Stalin. When he was introduced everyone jumped immediately to their feet to clap for fear if they did not show the proper respect to the leader they would be thrown into the Gulag. Once they had begun clapping, the next fear was if they did not clap long enough to show the proper respect. So they all continued to clap for 5 minutes even to ten minutes. Imagine standing and vigorously clapping for ten minutes. Hands are turning red, becoming painful. Older folk's knees are starting to buckle. That and the fear of being the first one to sit has to take it's toll on a body.

So finally after 11 minutes of this, one brave soul decided to sit down. What a relief to the crowd in attendance. They no longer had to fear being disrespectful and could finally take their seats.

What happened to their savior? He was later thrown into the Gulag for 10 years for not showing the proper amount of respect.

It does seem rather curious that they would propose this. I wonder what motivated it. I haven't heard of anyone taking the knee during Montenegro's national anthem.

Power, people who don't have it want it. People who have it want more of it.

I wonder if this will give any U.S. politicians any ideas.

Maybe it's only a matter of picking out the right anthem. I would certainly rise for this national anthem:

If you had the power to enforce it, you could cause folks to stand for any national anthem you desired.

 

[metis]

I voted "undecided" since each country is different and with different sets of rules. Do I personally think people should be fined for that? Emphatically no.