Centre for Civic Education (CCE) from Montenegro and the Association for Social Research and Communication (UDIK) from Bosnia and Herzegovina welcome the decision of the Education Trade Union of Montenegro (SPCG) to terminate its cooperation with the “Vilina Vlas” rehabilitation centre in Višegrad and remove it from the offer of the “Prosvjeta” travel agency, founded by the Union.
CCE and UDIK sent an initiative to SPCG on Friday, requesting that this cooperation be terminated and noting that there are numerous other options for rest and rehabilitation in Montenegro and the region. Providing affordable holidays, including payment in instalments, as well as free packages offered by the Education Trade Union, represents an important form of support for employees in the education sector. In a letter to CCE and UDIK, as well as in a public statement dated 27 April 2026, SPCG confirmed that it had cooperated with the Višegrad spa due to more favourable prices compared to the Montenegrin market. However, CCE and UDIK stress that economic reasons cannot and must not take precedence over ethical standards.
They commend SPCG for recognising the seriousness of this issue and for responding positively to the initiative by terminating cooperation with the “Vilina Vlas” spa this year.
They recall that during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, “Vilina Vlas” was a detention camp where around 200 Bosniak women were raped. This fact imposes a particular responsibility on all institutions and organisations to take into account the symbolic and real meaning of the spaces they choose for cooperation.
CCE and UDIK had previously sent an initiative to the Pension and Disability Insurance Fund of Montenegro (PIO Fund), requesting the termination of cooperation with the “Vilina Vlas” spa, which generated significant media interest in both countries. Ultimately, the PIO Fund of Montenegro terminated that contract.
CCE and UDIK consider the termination of cooperation between SPCG and the “Vilina Vlas” spa to be an important step towards a more responsible approach to the past and respect for victims, as well as a reminder of the need to consistently incorporate ethical criteria into all institutional policies and programmes.
UDIK and CCE call on other institutions and legal entities in Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina that still offer “Vilina Vlas” for similar purposes to urgently terminate such agreements.
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Association for Social Research and Communication (UDIK)