Civil society strongly condemns the multi-day attack by Democratic Montenegro on the person and integrity of our 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 criticise the authorities.
We remind that in a democratic society, different opinions are not only permitted but also desirable. It is worrying when those in power begin to equate a party with an institution and the state, as this stifles every space for a critical stance. No party, including Democratic Montenegro, must stand above institutions or appropriate the right to dispense justice and determine who is “worthy” of public participation and in what manner.
Our colleague Tea Gorjanc Prelević has been contributing to the building of a fairer society for almost two decades, without calculation and with the courage to oppose every government. To attribute political bias to her means concealing the impotence and lack of arguments of those who attack her in a smear manner.
It is particularly unacceptable for a ruling political party to target a respected civil society activist, and to do so through anonymous statements. While Tea Gorjanc Prelević signs all her views with her name and integrity, the Democrats conceal their attacks behind a collective stamp, which best illustrates their “strength”.
We repeat that, as a constituent of the government, the Democrats have an obligation to show greater tolerance and responsibility towards criticism. Unfortunately, we are witnessing their almost daily confrontations with all those who dare to think differently – from lawyers to activists – while the security sector is being turned into a training ground for political promotion.
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 arbitrariness in the security sector. Likewise, Human Rights Action (HRA) and Tea Gorjanc Prelević, who have focused on human rights for decades, must have the freedom to defend those whose rights they recognise as endangered, without being subjected to threats, attempts at intimidation and discreditation by the party that controls the security sector.
Where a party assumes the role of judge, the rule of law ceases. Censorship, verdicts without trial, and the suppression of criticism pave the way to authoritarianism and evoke totalitarian models. The Democrats should publicly answer to everyone: is this the vision of society they are advocating today?
We emphasize that other ruling parties also bear responsibility, as their silence contributes to a very poor climate for the functioning of civil society.
We invite all social stakeholders, including the Ombudsman, to stand up for the protection of freedom of expression, the right to defence, and the upholding of rights. Otherwise, they all become accomplices in the collapse of Montenegro’s democratic foundations.
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, Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Demir Ličina, NGO “Štpci – Against Oblivion”
Ervina Dabižinović, Centre for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA
Jovan Ulićević, Association SPEKTRA
Kristina Mihailović, Parents Association
Maja Raičević, Women’s Rights Center (CWR)
Marina Vujačić, Association of Youth with Disabilities of Montenegro (AYDM)
dr Maja Kostić Mandić, Association of Lawyers of Montenegro
dr Milan Marković, Montenegrin Philological Society
Milena Popović Samadžić, NGO Ipso Facto
Milka Tadić Mijović, Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG)
Miloš Vuković, Fidelity Consulting
Miodrag Vujović, KOD Organization
dr Nikoleta Đukanović, Sociological Centre of Montenegro (SOCEN)
Olivera Nikolić, Institute for Media of Montenegro (IMCG)
Slavica Striković, Women Action
Velija Murić, Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for Protection of Human Rights
Vladimir Nikaljević, STEGA
Zenepa Lika, Dr. Martin Schneider-Jacoby Association (MSJA)
dr Zlatko Vujović, Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
Danijel Kalezić, civic activist
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Dušan Pajović, civic activist
Duška Pejović, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist
Milena Bešić, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist
Tamara Milaš, civic activist