Centre for Civic Education (CCE) once again strongly condemns all forms of violence against Montenegrin citizens, as well as the disproportionate response that has been directed against innocent Turkish nationals living in Montenegro. The CCE reiterates its call on decision-makers to take a strategic approach to de-escalating tensions and managing migration responsibly.
We have already warned that gatherings at which chants such as “Kill the Turk” were heard could trigger a chain reaction of hate speech, social division, and violence against innocent members of the Turkish community. Unfortunately, those warnings have proven justified: the very next day, new attacks on the property of Turkish nationals were reported, including outside Podgorica, along with the emergence of so-called “people’s patrols” taking on the role of state authorities, and the spread of intolerance on social media, including calls to boycott services such as Glovo because their couriers are allegedly “all Turks.” To stop such developments, state institutions must respond maturely, urge citizens not to take the law into their own hands, and demonstrate that the law applies equally to everyone.
Instead of adopting a thoughtful and strategic approach, the Prime Minister reacted impulsively, following a familiar pattern, by temporarily suspending the visa-free regime for Turkish citizens. Such a move is politically short-sighted and populist, as Montenegro will in any case have to permanently align its visa policy with that of the European Union by the middle of next year. More importantly, there has been no information about the timeline for suspending the visa-free regime for the other 10 countries for which the EU has identified similar risks (Azerbaijan, Russia, Belarus, Qatar, China, Kuwait, Armenia, Egypt, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia).
Selective and ad hoc actions suggest that decisions are being made under public pressure, and possibly that of certain external actors, rather than based on facts and the state’s interests. This also sends a troubling message that an entire nation can be collectively punished for the actions of individuals, which is both unacceptable and dangerous, as criminal responsibility is, by definition, individual.
The competent authorities, primarily the Ministry of the Interior and the National Security Agency, must urgently inform the public about the number of (un)registered migrants, as well as about any extradition requests that Montenegro has received from the Turkish authorities. They should also publicly address the allegations made by journalist Haskoloğlu, who claimed that Montenegrin institutions knowingly allowed the entry of individuals with questionable backgrounds, including persons who have been convicted or are wanted for criminal offences. Furthermore, the authorities must clearly state whether they possess any information about external influences or possible involvement of other countries in inciting violence, especially given the recent in rhetoric by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić toward Turkey and its impact on decision-makers in Montenegro. More reliable information and responsible institutional communication would contribute significantly to calming tensions.
It is particularly concerning that certain government officials have presented inaccurate data on the number of Turkish citizens in Montenegro, apparently aiming to reinforce a negative narrative and incite fear and intolerance. Such manipulative representation of facts, further encouraged by the ideological alignment of parts of the political structures in Montenegro and Serbia, threatens to normalize discrimination and create social acceptance of hatred. Experience shows that such an atmosphere leads to new incidents, hate-motivated acts, and a persistent sense of insecurity among the affected communities.
Guilt is always individual and must under no circumstances serve as a basis for discriminating against an entire nation.
The CCE calls on decision-makers to urgently and responsibly address migration policies, ensure the consistent application of the law, and prevent citizens from taking on the role of state institutions. Equally important is halting the spread of hate speech and intolerance, which threaten to permanently undermine interethnic relations and the fundamental values of a democratic society.
Miloš Knežević, Development Coordinator