Non-governmental organisations and activists which recently called for the prohibition of Baja Mali Knindža’s performance in Pljevlja welcome the decision of the Police Directorate to ban the concert scheduled for 21 May at the 13 July town square.
We consider this to be a responsible and lawful decision, confirming that institutions have an obligation to protect public order and peace, the safety of citizens, as well as the multi-ethnic and civic character of Montenegro.
It is also important that, in its explanation, the Police Directorate recognised the risks of endangering human rights and freedoms, especially minority rights, as well as the possibility of disrupting interethnic harmony and the safety of citizens and property. Such an assessment confirms what we have been pointing out – that public space must not be used for events that may deepen divisions, incite tensions, and threaten social cohesion.
We expect all political structures and organisers of public events to demonstrate responsibility towards the community and refrain from initiatives that may provoke divisions and destabilisation, particularly in environments requiring additional attention when it comes to preserving interethnic trust.
Montenegro is a civic and multi-ethnic state, and the protection of these values is precisely the obligation of all institutions and social actors.
Human Rights Action (HRA), Tea Gorjanc Prelević
Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN CG), Milka Tadić Mijović
Centre for Civic Education (CCE), Daliborka Uljarević
Association Spektra, Jovan Džoli Ulićević
Centre for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA, Ervina Dabižinović
Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Nevenka Vuksanović
Ipso Facto, Milena Popović Samardžić
Montenegrin Media Institute (MMI), Olivera Nikolić
Queer Montenegro, Staša Baštrica
Eduko Plus, Almedina Dodić
Antifascists of Cetinje, Filip Kuzman
Safe Women’s House, Budislavka Saveljić
Prima, Aida Perović
Montenegrin Women’s Lobby, Aida Petrović
Centre for the Development of Non-Governmental Organisations, Zorana Marković
Dr Martin Schneider-Jacoby Association (MSJA), Zenepa Lika
Civic Initiative 21 May, Rade Bojović
Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights, Velija Murić
Juventas, Ivana Vujović
Association of LBTQ Women “Stana”, Ana Dedivanović
SOS Podgorica, Biljana Zeković
Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), Zlatko Vujović
Centre for Women’s Rights, Maja Raičević
Paula Petričević, civic activist
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Emir Pilav, civic activist
Sabina Talović, civic activist
Nikoleta Đukanović, civic activist
Dušan Pajović, civic activist
Milica Kankaraš Berber, civic activist
Milena Bešić, civic activist