Statute of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia

Table of contents :
Front Cover
MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS, THEIR DUTIES AND RIGHTS •
ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS
BASIC ORGANIZATIONS AND OPERATIVE GROUPS OF MEMBERS
CONFERENCE OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS
THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC
THE SUPREME BODIES OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMU- NISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMU- NISTS IN THE YUGOSLAV PEOPLE'S ARMY
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP
MATERIAL FUNDS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS
THE EMBLEM AND BANNER OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA •

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UC-NRLF

$ B 581 370

Lavez

komunista suged

STATUTE OF THE LEAGUE COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA

JUGOSLAVIJA

BEOGRAD

WORKERS OF ALL COUNTRIES UNITE!

PUBLISHING HOUSE JUGOSLAVIJA, BEOGRAD, KIDRIČEVA 70

Savez

Romunista Jugoslavije

STATUTE OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF

YUGOSLAVIA

ADOPTED BY THE VII, CONGRESS OF THE LEAGUE OF YUGOSLAV COMMUNISTS HELD FROM 22 TO 26 APRIL, 1958 IN LJUBLJANA

JUGOSLAVIJA

JN 9679 A5 S5 R6

1958f

The League of Communists of Yugoslavia is the organized political force of the working class and the working people of Yugoslavia. It fights consciously for the building of a socialist society, for the further advance of that society towards communism and instils socialist consciousness into the broadest sections of the working people. The League of Communists of Yugoslavia admits to its ranks, upon express desire, those who accept the Programme and Statute of the League and fight for their realization and adopt the position of the League on all questions regarding the building of socialism in Yugoslavia, the development of socialism and the contemporary international workers' movement. The League of Communists of Yugoslavia is guided in its activity by the theory of scientific socialism . The

League

of Communists

of Yugoslavia

fights for the building of socialism, the preser-

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vation of national independence, the further. strengthening of brotherhood, unity and equality among the peoples of Yugoslavia and endeavours, with all political means and organizational work, to inspire and mobilize the broadest masses of the population for the struggle for the realization of these aims. This struggle of the League, and its ensuing results, make it the vanguard of the whole working people - the working class, the working peasantry, the intelligentsia and all other working people, united in their overwhelming majority in a single front in the struggle for the building of new socialist social relations. In order to implement its policy the League of Communists engages in political and ideological activity in all spheres of social and political life, in all social organizations, bodies and institutions. While developing the fullest initiative of the working people in the solution of all social and political problems, the members of the League of Communists use persuasion as their basic method of work. The League of Communists of Yugoslavia is organized on the principle of democratic centralism, on the unity of will and the unity of action of all the members and organizations of the League. The consistent implementation of these principles ensures: the organizational strength of the League of Communists; close ties between the members of the League and the working people ; the constant strengthening of the League through the admission of new members ; the promotion of discipline, the contest of opinion, criticism and

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self-criticism and comradely relations within the " League of Communists of Yugoslavia. The activity of the League of Communists is carried out in public. The League of Communists of Yugoslavia, as part of the conscious socialist forces of the international workers' movement, works towards the promotion of internationalism, cooperation on a basis of equality and mutual understanding between communist and other workers' parties and progressive movements throughout the world.

I MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS, THEIR DUTIES AND RIGHTS 1. Anyone who accepts the Programme and Statute of the League, who works actively and unselfishly towards the implementation of the Programme, the Statute and all the decisions of the League, and who works in one of its organizations and pays membership dues, is a member of the League of Communists. Membership of the League is incompatible with conceptions and actions which are alien to socialism, as well as with the profession of religious beliefs. 2. A member of the League of Communists is under the obligation: a) to work towards the promotion of his communist consciousness and the mastering of the theories of Marxism-Leninism ; b) to be acquainted with the basic points of the policy of the League of Communists, and to follow the press and publications of the League ; 8

c) to work towards the development of socialist consciousness among the working people, to interpret the policy of the League and fight for its implementation, to develop the activity and initiative of the citizens in all forms of socialist democracy, to contribute, through his activity, towards ensuring that the decisions of the social bodies and organizations are in the spirit of socialism, and to fight actively against anti-socialist conceptions and actions; d) to fight for socialist relations among people, for the promotion of socialist morality, and, by his work and conduct, to serve as an example to other working people and excel in the fulfilment of all social obligations ; e) to take an active part in the work of his organization, to submit to the decisions of the majority, and to carry out the decisions of the League in a disciplined and consistent manner. 23. A member of the League of Communists has the following rights : a) to expound and freely defend in the organizations of the League his attitude and views regarding . all questions of social development; to

take part in discussions about the policy of the League and in the passing of its decisions both at meetings of the organizations and in the press; b) to defend his own opinion prior to the taking of any decision by the organization ; c) to criticize any member of the League at meetings of the organizations of the League ; d) to elect members to the various bodies of the League and to stand for election himself; .

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when the various bodies of the League are being elected every member has the right to propose candidates and to state his opinion about any proposed candidate ; e) to participate personally in discussions and decisions referring to his own work and actions ; f) to submit questions or proposals to any higher authority or body of the League, including the Central Committee and the congress . 4. A member can only be admitted to the League individually; as a rule after he has attained the age of eighteen.

5. The decision regarding admission to the League is taken by the basic organization at the personal request of the applicant, and on the proposal of members and bodies of the League, of communist groups, political and social organizations and bodies of social management . In exceptional cases, admission to membership can be decided by the higher authorities of the League. The decision regarding membership is delivered in writing to the Communal or respective League Committee.

6. The length of membership in the League of Communists of Yugoslavia is reckoned from the day of the taking of the decision to admit. the candidate. 7. Every member upon moving from one place of residence to another, either permanently or for a longer period of time, is under obligation to notify his organization that he is leaving and to 10

report to the organization of the place to which he is going. 8. More detailed instructions as to registration, the issuing of membership cards, keeping record of the League's membership, transfer of members from one organization to another, as well as conditions of admission to membership and recognition of any time spent as a member of another communist party, etc., are issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia.

II ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS

9. The League of Communists is organized on the principle of democratic centralism. This means that: a) all the leading bodies of the League, from the lowest to the highest, are elected ; b) all bodies of the League are under obligation to give account of their work to the organizations and bodies which have elected them ; c) the minority is obliged to accept and implement the decisions of the majority; d) the organizations and lower bodies are under obligation to carry out the decisions of the higher bodies.

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10. All organizations and leading bodies are free to make decisions within their own field of activity in keeping with the Programme, Statute and policy of the League. It is the duty of leading bodies to encourage and develop the initiative and activity of communists and organizations of the League, and to examine any proposals and opinions of the organizations. In order to ensure that all decisions passed are the best possible, the leading bodies and organizations of the League, as part of their work, hold consultations and discussions on all matters affecting the work and policy of the League. The leading bodies of the League may hold enlarged meetings attended by individual members and other officials of the League. 11. As a rule, the League is organized on the production and territorial principle. 12. The organizational structure of the League is as follows: a) the basic organization of the League of Communists;

b) the operative group of members of the League of Communists; c) in an enterprise with several basic organizations - the Conference of the League of Communists of the enterprise and the Committee of the enterprise. In exceptional circumstances a

small

town,

settlement or housing community may have a corresponding Conference and Committee, providing it has the prior approval of the Central Committee

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of the League of Communists of the appropriate People's Republic ; d) in a commune - the Communal Conference and the Communal Committee ; e) in a district - the District Conference and the District Committee; f) in a region or province - the Regional or Provincial Conference and the Regional or Provincional Committee ; g) in a People's Republic - the Congress of the League of Communists of the People's Republic and the Central Committee of the League of Communists of the People's Republic;

h) for the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia --- the Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia and the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 13. For the purpose of carrying out current tasks and studying specific questions in a more comprehensive way, auxiliary bodies (e.g. organizational-political secretariats, commissions for ideological matters and affairs concerning personnel, etc.) may be formed at the leading bodies of the League on the basis of instructions issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 14. The District, Regional, Provincial and Central Committees elect from among their members a Control Commission which examines and settles individual cases of infringement of the Programme and Statute of the League of Communists, as well as complaints.

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15. The leading bodies of the League and the delegates to the Conferences and Congresses are elected by secret ballot, each candidate being elected individually. The Secretary and Secretariats of basic organizations, and of factory, local and other similar committees, may be elected in a different manner if the Conference so decides at the proposal of the third of those present. 16. If the number of members of a leading body of the League elected at the Conference or Congress falls by one third, an Extraordinary Conference or Congress is called . As an exception, Communal and District Committees may co- opt up to one fifth of their members during one electoral period. 17. Internal life within the organizations and bodies of the league evolves in keeping with the principle of democratic centralism, the rights and duties of the members, comradely relations, contest of opinion, criticism and selfcriticism.

III BASIC ORGANIZATIONS AND OPERATIVE GROUPS OF MEMBERS

18. The basic organizations constitute the organizational foundation of the League of Communists. Basic organizations are set up in enterprises, villages, settlements, and units and institutions of the Yugoslav People's Army. Instructions concerning the formation of basic organizations of the League of Communists in 14

smaller economic organizations , as well as in various institutions and associations and other places where their need is felt, are issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia . 19. The basic organization holds a regular annual conference at which a report on its work is submitted, and the Secretary and his deputy are elected. If the number of members or conditions of work make it necessary, the basic organization may elect a Secretariat in order to carry out current business. A large basic organization may be divided into sections. A section of a basic organization elects a Secretary of the Section and a Deputy Secretary, while the basic organization elects a Secretariat.

The Central Committee of the League of Communists of the appropriate People's Republic issues instructions as to when a basic organization may be divided into sections, and which organization shall elect a Secretariat and the number of members of the Secretariat. 20. The meeting of the basic organization is held according to requirements, but usually once a month . 21. Most important tasks of the basic organization are:

a) to ensure that the organization in its entirety and every one of its members are in the centre of the struggle for socialism and socialist relations, the development of socialist democracy, the further development of the material basis of our socialist community, higher produc-

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tion and increased productivity, the strengthening of the forces of socialism as a whole and against anti-socialist conceptions and tendencies ; b) to fight for the fullest development of workers' and social self-management, and the political, ideological, technical and cultural advancement of the broadest sections of the working people; c) to work persistently and in an organized way for the ideological and political education and advancement of its members, and help them in their social and political activity; d) to strengthen its own ranks through admission to the League of new members from the working class, the working peasantry and the intelligentsia ; e) to foster among its members a spirit of dedication , modesty, comradeship , sincerity and all the other qualities of a communist, who considers the interests of socialism, as the goal of the final emancipation of man, to be the supreme law in his public and private life; f) to fight within its own ranks against bureaucratic, petty-bourgeois and other negative acts and conceptions alien to the League. 22. For the purpose of directing the work of communists and attaining a common viewpoint on fundamental issues, operative groups of communists may be formed, according to need, in specific spheres of social activity. Operative groups of communists may be formed in social organizations, associations, in individual institutions for a specific area with a view 16

to dealing with specific problems. The operative groups may be permanent or temporary. Permanent groups elect a Secretary or a Secretariat. Communal, District, Regional, Provincial and Central Committees form operative groups in accordance with the area of activity of the communists. More detailed instructions regarding the formation and activity of operative groups of communists are issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia.

IV CONFERENCE OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS 23. The supreme body of the League of Communists in an enterprise or locality with more than one basic organization, a commune, district, region or province, is the Conference of the League of Communists. The Conference of the League of Communists in an enterprise or locality with more than one basic organizations is convened by the respective committee once a year. The Communal Conference of the League of Communists is convened by the Communal Committee once every two years.

The District (City) Conference of the League of Communists is convened by the District Committee once every two years. 17

The Regional and Provincial Conferences are convened by the respective committees once every three years. 24. An Extraordinary Conference of the League of Communists may be convened by the respective committee by its own decision, or at the request of one third of its members or one third of the organizations. The time-limit for convening an Extraordinary Conference at the request of one third of the members or one third of the orgazations is three months. 25. The Conference of the League of Communists examines the reports of the Committee and the Auditing Commission and passes decisions on them, appraises the results achieved as a result of the League's policy, reaches decisions regarding future work and elects a Committee, as its executive organ, and an Auditing Commission. The decisions of the Conference of the League of Communists are valid if the delegates attending it constitute at least two thirds of the total membership. Decisions are passed by a majority vote. 26. The number of members composing the Committee and Auditing Commission is determined by the respective conference, within the framework laid down by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 27. The Committee works collectively and decisions are passed at its meetings which must be attended by at least two thirds of the members. For the discharge of current business the Committee elects from among its members a Secretariat, a Secretary and an Organizational Secretary. 18

V THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC

28. Members and organizations of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in a People's Republic constitute the League of Communists of the respective People's Republic. The decisions of the Congress and Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia must be observed by the Leagues of Communists of the People's Republics. Members of the League and its organizations in the People's Republic are under obligation to implement both the decisions of the supreme bodies of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia and the decisions of the Congress and Central Committee of the League of Communists of the People's Republic. 29. The highest body of the League of Communists of the People's Republic is the Congress. The Congress is convened once every five years on the initiative of the Central Committee of the People's Republic. An Extraordinary Congress may be convened on the initiative of the Central Committee, at the request of one third of the members of the League, or one third of the communal organizations. The time-limit for convening an Extraordinary Conference at the request of one third of the members of the League or one third of the communal organizations, is three months.

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The decision to convene a Congress and the agenda must be made public at least two months in advance. The decisions of the Congress are valid if the delegates attending it constitute at least two thirds of the total membership. Decisions are passed by a majority vote. The number of delegates to the Congress and the manner of election is determined by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of the People's Republic. 30. The Congress of the League of Communists of the People's Republic : a) examines the report of the Central Committee and the Auditing Commission, and passes decisions on them ; b) determines, on the basis of the policy of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, the political tasks of the League of Communists of the People's Republic ; c) determines the number of members and elects à Central Committee and an Auditing Commission ;

d) settles complaints and deals with appeals made by members and organizations. 31. The Central Committee of the League of the People's Republic is the supreme leading body of the League of Communists of the People's Republic in the period between two Congresses. 32. The Central Committee elects an Executive Committee as its executive organ, and a Political and Organizational Secretary. The Executive Com-

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mittee may elect from among its members a Secretariat which, between sessions of the Executive Committee, ensures that its decisions are carried out and deals with day-to-day business. The number of members of the Executive Committee is determined by the Central Committee. 33. The Central Committee holds meetings according to need, but at least twice a year.

VI THE SUPREME BODIES OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA

34. The supreme body of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia is the Congress. The Congress is convened once every five years on the initiative of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. An Exrtaordinary Congress may be convened on the initiative of the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, at the request of one third of the members of the League or at the request of the Leagues of Communists of two People's Republics. The time-limit for convening an Extraordinary Congress at the request of one third of the members of the League or the Leagues of Communists of two People's Republics is three months. The decision to convene a Congress and the agenda must be made public at least two months in advance.

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The decisions of the Congress are valid if the delegates attending it constitute at least two thirds of the total membership. Decisions are passed by a majority vote. The number of delegates to the Congress of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia and the manner of election are determined by the Central Committee. 35. Should the Central Committee fail to convene an Extraordinary Congress within the timelimit laid down in Article 34 of this Statute, the organizations which called for an Extraordinary Congress have the right to form an Organizational Committee to prepare and convene such a congress. 36. The Congress : a) examines the report of the Central Committee and the Auditing Commission, and passes decisions on them ; b) adopts the Programme and the Statute of the League and amends them ; c) lays down the policy of the League; d) determines the number of members and elects the Central Committee and Auditing Commission;

e) settles complaints and deals with appeals. made by members and organizations. 37. The Central Committee is the supreme leading body of the League in the period between two Congresses. It represents the League inside Yugoslavia and in matters concerning foreign parties and organizations. 38. The Central Committee holds meetings according to need, but at least once a year. 22

39. The Central Committee elects its executive body --- the Executive Committee, the Secretary General of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia and the Secretaries of the Central Committee. The Executive Committee elects from among its members the Secretariat which, between sessions of the Executive Committee, ensures that its decisions are carried out and deals with day-to - day business. The number of members of the Executive Committee and Secretaries of the Central Committee are determined by the Central Committee.

VII THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS IN THE YUGOSLAV PEOPLE'S ARMY 40. The structure and type of work of the organization of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia in the Yugoslav People's Army are laid down by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia on the basis of this Statute.

VIII DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP 41. The basic organizations and higher bodies are under obligation to take disciplinary measures against members of the League who violate the

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Programme, Statute and decisions of the League. The disciplinary measures are of a corrective nature. 42. Every breach of discipline by members of the League must be examined in the most careful and conscientious way; breaches of discipline and mistakes of individual members of the League are discussed at a meeting of the organization or the Secretariat and the basic organization passes the decision regarding the penalty. In exceptional cases, the decision regarding the penalty may be passed by the Committee as well. 43. The disciplinary measures which may be taken against members of the League are : warning, reprimand, severe reprimand, final warning and expulsion from the League. 44. In cases where the League suffers serious harm as a result of the activity of basic organizations or leading bodies, the Central Committee of the League of Communists of the People's Republic may dissolve such organizations or leading bodies. In such a case it establishes the individual responsibility of every member of that basic organization or leading body. After a basic organization has been dissolved, the members must apply individually for re-registration of membership. In the case of a leading body being dissolved, an Extraordinary Conference is simultaneously convened to elect a new leading body. 45. Every member who has been punished has the right of appeal. Appeals must be submitted directly to a higher leading body not later than six months after the penalty has been pronounced, 24

while the leading body is under obligation to pass its decision within three months of receiving the appeal. Should the punished member not agree' with the decision, he has the right to appeal to any leading body of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 46. The penalty may be revoked at the request of the member, on the initiative of the other members, organization and leading body of the League which imposed the penalty, or of the organization to which the member belongs. 47. More detailed instructions regarding the taking of disciplinary measures, cancellation or annulment of penalties, complaints, etc., are issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 48. Membership in the League of Communists of Yugoslavia ceases on expulsion from the League or at the personal request of the member. Persons who earlier belonged to the League of Communists of Yugoslavia may be re-admitted in accordance with the provisions of this Statute.

IX MATERIAL FUNDS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS 49. The funds of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia are derived from membership dues and other forms of revenue. The organizations and leading bodies of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia dispose of 25

their funds according to a budget. More detailed instructions are issued by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia and the Central Committees of the People's Republics. 50. Every member pays a fixed monthly sum out of his salary. The amount of the sum and the salary upon which it is calculated are determied by the Central Committee of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia. 51. The control of material and financial affairs, from the Municipal Committee to the Central Committee, is exercised by Auditing Commissions.

X THE EMBLEM AND BANNER OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA 52. The emblem of the League of Communist of Yugoslavia is a five-pointed star with a hammer and sickle in the centre ; the hammer and sickle and the edges of the star are gold. Below the star, between two of its points, are the initials of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia - SKJ (i.e. Savez Komunista Jugoslavije). The banner of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia is red; its length is twice as long as its width; in the top left-hand corner is the emblem of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia with the inscription " Workers of all countries unite!" above the star. 26

CONTENTS I. MEMBERS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS, THEIR DUTIES AND RIGHTS • II. ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS III. BASIC ORGANIZATIONS AND OPERATIVE GROUPS OF MEMBERS IV. CONFERENCE OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS . V. THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS IN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC VI. THE SUPREME BODIES OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA VII. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS IN THE YUGOSLAV PEOPLE'S ARMY VIII. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AND LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP IX. MATERIAL FUNDS OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS X. THE EMBLEM AND BANNER OF THE LEAGUE OF COMMUNISTS OF YUGOSLAVIA •

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