WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
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AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
Civil society strongly condemns the several-day attack by Democratic Montenegro on the personality and integrity of her colleague Tea Gorjanc Prelević, due to her clear, principled and well-argued position that insists on the law and international standards, including the right to criticize the government.
In the statement, they remind that in a democratic society, differing opinions are not only permitted, but also desirable. It is worrying when the government begins to equate the party with the institution and the state, because this suffocates any space for a critical stance.
"No party, not even Democratic Montenegro, may be above institutions or assume the right to dispense justice and determine who is "worthy" of public participation and in what way," the statement emphasizes.
As they further state, their colleague Tea Gorjanc Prelević has been contributing to the construction of a more just society for almost two decades, without calculations and with courageous opposition to every government.
"Attributing political bias to her means concealing the powerlessness and lack of arguments of those who basely attack her.
It is especially unacceptable for a political party in power to deal with a reputable civil society activist, and to do so through anonymous statements. While Tea Gorjanc Prelević signs all her positions with her name and integrity, the Democrats hide their attacks behind a collective seal, which best speaks of their "strength", civil society representatives state.
They reiterate that as a constituent of the government, the Democrats have an obligation to show more tolerance and responsibility towards criticism.
"Unfortunately, we witness their almost daily confrontations with everyone who dares to think differently - from lawyers to activists - while the security sector is trying to turn into a training ground for political promotion", the statement states.
They note that lawyer Veselin Radulović has the right, within the legal framework, to protect the rights of his clients, as well as to proactively try, through existing legal mechanisms, to influence the limitations of dangerous autocracy in the security sector. Likewise, as they add, the Human Rights Action (HRA) and Tea Gorjanc Prelević, who have been focusing on human rights for decades, must have the freedom to defend those whose rights they recognize are at risk and who do not experience threats because of this, attempts at intimidation and discrediting by the party that leads the security sector.
"Where a party takes on the role of judge, the rule of law ceases. Censorship, verdicts without a trial and the suppression of criticism open the way to authoritarianism and are reminiscent of totalitarian models. Democrats should publicly answer everyone: is this the vision of society they advocate for today?
We emphasize that other parties in power also bear responsibility, because their silence contributes to a very bad climate for the functioning of civil society.
We call on all social actors, including the Ombudsman, to stand up for freedom of expression, the right to defense and the rule of law. Otherwise, everyone becomes complicit in the collapse of the democratic foundations of Montenegro," the statement concludes.
The statement is signed by:
Dr. Adnan Čirgić, Montenegrin PEN Center
Aida Perović, NGO PRIMA
Alek Barović, NGO Montenegrins Danilovgrad
Andro Martinović, Initiative for Regional Cooperation of Montenegro (Igman Initiative)
Daliborka Uljarević, Center for Civic Education (CCE)
Ervina Dabižinović, Center for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA
Jovan Ulićević, Association SPEKTRA
Kristina Mihailović, Association of Parents
Maja Raičević, Center for Women's Rights (CžP)
Marina Vujačić, Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro (UMHCG)
Dr. Maja Kostić Mandić, Association of Lawyers of Montenegro
Dr. Milan Marković, Montenegrin Philological Society
Milena Popović Samadžić, NGO Ipso Facto
Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG)
Miloš Vuković, Fidelity Consulting
Miodrag Vujović, KOD Organization
Dr. Nikoleta Tomović, Sociological Center of Montenegro (SOCEN)
Olivera Nikolić, Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG)
Slavica Striković, Women's Action
Vladimir Nikaljević, STEGA
Zenepa Lika, Dr. Martin Schneider-Jacoby Assoc. (MSJA)
Dr. Zlatko Vujović, Monitoring and Research Center (CeMI)
Danijel Kalezić, civic activist
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Dušan Pajović, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist
Milena Bešić, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist
Tamara Milaš, civic activist
