We strongly condemn the violent disruption of the screening of the film “Roda” by Albanian director Isa Qosja, which took place last night as part of the Džada Film Festival in Zabjelo, Podgorica.
According to eyewitness reports, a group of aggressors stormed the screening and interrupted it simply because the film was in the Albanian language. This act represents a dangerous attack on the freedom of artistic and cultural expression, as well as an open outburst of hatred based on national belonging and language. It is especially concerning that such an attack occurred in a multiethnic state such as Montenegro, where Albanian is, according to the Constitution, in official use, and members of the Albanian community make up at least 5% of the population.
We expect the Police Administration and the competent Prosecutor’s Office to immediately identify all perpetrators and take all necessary steps to ensure they are adequately punished, so that such shameful incidents are not repeated.
The ruling political parties bear responsibility for a series of nationalist provocations that preceded this event, and therefore also for destabilizing Montenegro as a civic state.
We call on the highest representatives of the government to react urgently and prevent further incidents and the erosion of Montenegro’s multiethnic harmony.
Human Rights Action, Tea Gorjanc Prelević
Association SPEKTRA, Jovan Ulićević
Centre for Civic Education, Daliborka Uljarević
Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro, Milka Tadić Mijović
Women’s Rights Center, Maja Raičević
Ipso Facto, Milena Popović Samardžić
PRIMA, Aida Perović
Štrpci – Against Oblivion, Demir Ličina
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist