HRA: Hate speech graffiti in Bijelo Polje - perpetrators must be identified

The Human Rights Action (HRA) condemned the graffiti "Serbs on willows" in the Pruška neighborhood in Bijelo Polje.

"Such messages constitute hate speech and intimidation of members of a national community. The court previously qualified such a message as a criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred under Article 370 of the Criminal Code, which carries a prison sentence of six months to five years," the HRA announced.

They called on the police and prosecutor's office to urgently and thoroughly investigate all the circumstances of the case and determine who was behind the writing of this offensive graffiti.

"Any graffiti that incites national or religious hatred - regardless of which community it is directed against - must be equally thoroughly investigated and sanctioned. We would like to remind you that even almost six years after the organized graffiti and other incidents directed against Muslims and the Islamic Community in Pljevlja, the public still does not have an answer as to who organized these events. The proceedings against the previously suspected individuals were ended with an acquittal due to lack of evidence, while the State Prosecutor's Office has not informed the public whether, in light of the allegations from the Sky ECC communication, it has taken any new actions to identify those responsible," it was announced.

They also add that they expect that this case will not remain without an institutional response and that the public will be informed in a timely manner about all actions taken.