Strategic group for the Western Balkans: Abazović labeled all those who do not support him as enemies of the state

The Strategic Group for the Western Balkans, which works under the auspices of the Heinrich Boll Foundation, expresses deep concern about the orchestrated campaign against Daliborka Uljarević, the executive director of the Center for Civic Education (CGO), initiated by the outgoing Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, through an author's article in daily newspaper Vijesti. Lately, this situation has taken a dangerous turn, Abazović labeled all those who do not support him as enemies of the state and collaborators of organized criminal clans. This campaign was quickly expanded through pro-Russian and related portals in Montenegro, as well as social networks, the CGO announced.
Daliborka Uljarević has been a member of the Strategic Group for the Western Balkans since its foundation, and her significant contribution to the group's analyzes and studies was aimed at accelerating the process of European integration of the Western Balkans region. The group consists of prominent representatives of civil society from each of the countries of the Western Balkans - the announcement states.
The aim of Abazović's article, which targets Uljarević and CGO, as one of the most influential Montenegrin NGOs, is to undermine the credibility of a critical part of the civil sector dedicated to Europeanization, and thus to cause a frightening effect on the entire civil society, which plays a key role in a polarized and tense political situation. in Montenegro, they point out in the announcement.
After about 100 days in the position of Prime Minister, Dritan Abazović has lost the confidence of the Parliament of Montenegro and will be functioning in a technical mandate for almost a year. During that period, significant deviations from the European path were confirmed through increasingly critical evaluations by the institutions of the European Union. Moreover, his actions caused turbulence with the media and NGOs questioning his decisions. In the last period, this situation took a dangerous turn, considering that Abazović labeled all those who do not support him as enemies of the state and collaborators of organized criminal clans. In response to this attack, civil society organizations, free-thinking individuals, diplomatic missions and international organizations in Montenegro and the region expressed their solidarity and raised their voices. This case highlights the need for stronger support for the efforts of civil society in the process of European integration, firmly based on progressive, ecological and gender-sensitive values. We will continue to carefully monitor the development of this case and inform other interested parties in the region and the EU - they conclude in the statement.
M.J.