Croatian Families Urge Government Action on Property Rights in Montenegro

Croatian families from the Boka Kotorska region have met with Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman to discuss ongoing challenges in reclaiming their confiscated properties. During the meeting, representatives highlighted specific issues they have faced for years in their struggle to recover property seized after the Second World War and during the conflicts of the 1990s.

The Tripković family, for instance, reported that a significant portion of their land was nationalized after the war. They experienced the most severe losses between 1991 and 2000, when over 90 percent of their property—more than 500,000 square meters—was unlawfully transferred to third parties. In Kavač, the family once owned six plots with buildings and an additional 60 land parcels. By the year 2000, they were left with only one plot, as all others were illegally appropriated.

The Dabinović-Kokot family has similar grievances. They own a property in Dobrota, home to the historic Kokot Tower, which has been protected as a cultural monument since 1949. The structure suffered damage during an earthquake in 1979, and since then, its integrity has been compromised due to inadequate legal protections and continued unauthorized actions by state institutions. The family reported that their rights to the tower and surrounding property have been severely limited, leading to concerns about vandalism and deterioration.

During the meeting, family members, including Bogdan and Toni Dabinović, Mirjana Tripković with her husband Mladen Pantara, and Ivo Tripković, expressed gratitude to Minister Grlić Radman and the Croatian government for their ongoing support. They called for the relevant authorities in Montenegro and other bodies to finally address these long-standing issues in a systematic manner.

“We hope the competent institutions will take action to resolve these problems that have persisted for many years,”

they stated.

Despite numerous applications and lawsuits filed by the affected families, progress has been minimal. The families face a legal limbo as cases remain unresolved for over a decade, with no clear path to resolution in sight. The lack of responsive action from the judicial system has heightened their frustration.

The meeting underscores the ongoing struggle of Croatian families in Montenegro to reclaim their heritage and properties. As they seek justice, the families hope that heightened awareness and government intervention will lead to a resolution of their grievances.