Centre for Civic Education (CCE), on the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, reminds that freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that must be protected in every democratic society.
In a time of growing hate speech and polarisation, as well as global tensions, it is important for Montenegro, as a civic society, to build resilience to violent extremism and to demonstrate zero tolerance for any form of religiously motivated violence. At the same time, freedom of religion and belief must never be misused to spread hatred, division, and violence – nor, under its guise, to glorify war criminals and ideologies that have led to mass atrocities.
The Constitution of Montenegro guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as the right of an individual to change religion or belief and the freedom, either alone or in community with others, publicly or privately, to manifest religion or belief through prayer, preaching, customs, or rites. The legal framework provides protection from all forms of direct and indirect discrimination based on religion or belief.
Of particular concern, however, is the spread of intolerance, manipulation, and radicalisation in the online sphere, where religious diversity is increasingly exploited for political score-settling, deepening divisions, and dehumanising those who think or believe differently. Despite the existing legal framework to counter violence and hate speech, in practice there is still a lack of consistent institutional response that would send a clear message that such behaviour is unacceptable and subject to sanctions. Furthermore, the public remains insufficiently informed about the mechanisms for protection against abuse, discrimination, and hate speech, both in virtual and in real space.
Marking this day should be an opportunity to hold institutions accountable and a reminder of the numerous victims of hatred and violence worldwide, whose only “fault” was their difference – belonging to another faith or expressing a different belief.
CCE calls on institutions, media, religious communities, and civil society organisations to join efforts in promoting a culture of dialogue, interculturalism, mutual respect, and responsibility, building a society in which the mosaic of diversity is the pillar of a functional democracy.
The International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – 22 August – was established by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly.