Human Rights Action (HRA), the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), and the Centre for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA express their regret and protest over the fact that the authorities of Montenegro, instead of ensuring a dignified commemoration of the war crime committed against Croatian prisoners in the former “Morinj” camp, sent out ambivalent and contradictory messages on this occasion.
On the one hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrated an appropriate approach and message; on the other, the Ministry of Defence restricted public attendance at the event and prohibited photographic documentation, accompanied by the discourteous behaviour of some military personnel — which Croatian guests publicly complained about.
Thus, official Montenegro — whose Government is visibly dysfunctional — has, instead of engaging in an honest public confrontation with the past, displayed an irresponsible attitude that violates the culture of remembrance, simulates piety, and continues policies of denial. Such an approach encourages harmful narratives and actions by those opposing this commemoration and by those denying that a war crime was committed at this military facility. In doing so, it further offends the victims, humiliates their families, and disrespects all citizens of Montenegro who believe that truth is a condition of dignity, not a threat to the state.
CCE, ANIMA, and HRA consistently advocate for the dignified marking of all sites of war crimes and for the adoption of a clear state policy of remembrance, one that honours victims appropriately and, through the condemnation of all war crimes, helps prevent their recurrence.
We therefore demand that future commemorations be organized publicly, accessibly, and with dignity, without prohibitions, barriers, or uniformed control, because remembrance must not be subjected to military discipline.
HRA, ANIMA, and CCE also believe that the site of the former “Morinj” camp should be demilitarized and transformed into an educational centre offering programmes for students from Montenegro, Croatia, and the wider region. Such a centre should also include a memorial plaque that factually commemorates the crime that took place there, a crime for which four members of the Yugoslav People’s Army were legally convicted and sentenced to prison.
A responsible policy is one grounded in confronting the past, acknowledging the suffering of all victims of war crimes and other serious human rights violations, and pursuing justice for all victims. Only through such an approach can we build a society that respects the dignity of every individual and a future in which our children will cooperate with their neighbours.
Human Rights Action (HRA)
Centre for Women’s and Peace Education (ANIMA)
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)