Centre for Civic Education (CCE) strongly condemns all forms of physical and verbal violence witnessed over the past two days and calls on decision-makers to take a strategic and responsible approach to de-escalating tensions and managing migration.
The attack on Montenegrin citizens deserves unequivocal condemnation, and the competent authorities must consistently apply the law and sanction all those responsible for causing bodily harm in this case. At the same time, the CCE appeals to citizens not to draw conclusions based on incomplete information, nor to assume the role of state authorities in punishing perpetrators of criminal offences.
The decision to temporarily suspend the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens demonstrates the Prime Minister’s lack of maturity in addressing the challenge of migration management in a systematic manner, while respecting the rules of the European Union. Montenegro has undertaken the obligation to align its visa policy with that of the EU, particularly in relation to countries that present a risk of irregular migration or security threats.
Currently, Montenegro maintains a visa-free regime with eleven countries for which the EU requires a visa – seven permanently exempted (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Russia and Turkey) and four with seasonal exemptions for tourism purposes (Armenia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia). Therefore, a populist overnight suspension of the visa-free regime for a single country does not contribute to solving the problem; instead, it undermines the credibility of the state and opens the door to reciprocal measures, which may directly affect Montenegrin citizens living, studying or working in Turkey.
The CCE recalls that the European Commission, in its Country 2024 Report on Montenegro recommended strengthening institutional capacities for migration management through the modernisation of border infrastructure, improvement of biometric registration systems and enhanced control of foreign entries.
The spread of hate speech following the incidents in Zabjelo is particularly alarming. Chants such as “Kill the Turk” constitute clear hate speech under international standards and the practice of domestic courts. The state must respond decisively to such phenomena, as silence only fuels further violence. Unfortunately, the attack on a venue owned by a Turkish citizen in central Podgorica, along with other examples of violence targeting property belonging to Turkish nationals, confirms the danger of spreading hatred on a national basis.
The CCE expresses deep concern that individual incidents could escalate into broader forms of intolerance and discrimination against the entire Turkish community. To prevent this, it is necessary that the authorities respond proactively, thoughtfully and proportionately, rather than resorting to rushed, temporary measures or ad hocchanges to legislation without public debate.
The CCE calls on decision-makers to take a strategic approach to migration management, in line with European rules and values, to prevent the spread of hatred and to ensure that state actions do not create new divisions or intolerance towards any nation or community.