Today, 22 non-governmental organizations appealed to the Supreme State Prosecutor (SSP), Milorad Marković, to stand up for freedom of expression and to order the suspension of misdemeanour proceedings initiated by state prosecutor Snežana Šišević against Boban Batrićević, author of the column “Chatter to Metodology and Djaonikije” published on the Antena M portal. NGOs warn that this misdemeanour proceeding reintroduces “verbal offense” into Montenegrin practice and jeopardizes freedom of expression, which is inappropriate for a country that is a member of the Council of Europe and aspires to membership in the European Union.
A letter of the same content, previously sent to the acting Supreme State Prosecutor Tatjana Begović, remained unanswered, while the disputed misdemeanour proceedings have continued in the meantime.
In the letter, SSP Marković is requested to investigate the reasons for initiating a misdemeanor case by the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica against the Miljan Vešović, author of the text “How does the civil conflict begin in Montenegro?” and the editor of the Antena M portal, Darko Šuković, as even that text also does not contain elements of any criminal offense or misdemeanour and is protected by freedom of expression, according to the NGOs.
More details in the letter available here.
Human Rights Action (HRA)
Spektra Association
Center for democratic transition (CDT)
Center for Civil Liberties (CEGAS)
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG)
Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
Center for Vocational Education and Training
Centre for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO)
Women’s Rights Center (WCR)
Centre for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA
LGBTIQ Association Queer Montenegro
Montenegrin PEN Center
Montenegrin Women’s Lobby
Montenegrin Philological Society
Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG)
ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey
Montenegro Media Institute (MMI)
Juventas
Media centre
PRIMA