In recent years, institutions in Montenegro have been processing cases of hate speech more promptly and the legislative framework has been strengthened, but there is a lot of room for improvement in that area, said the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms.
The institution of the Protector said this on the occasion of the International Day of Combating Hate Speech, reminding that the observance of that day was established by the United Nations (UN) as a need to try to suppress its negative influence through global activities.
They emphasized that the presence of a negative narrative in the public space of Montenegro is worrying.
"In recent years, the most frequent reactions of the Protector relate precisely to condemnations of inappropriate and illegal forms of expression that encourage hatred, intolerance and divisions in our society, which unfortunately has been facing polarization on several socio-political grounds for a long time," the announcement says.
It is emphasized that in such an atmosphere it is extremely important to preserve and create a healthy fabric of democratic and integration potential and the energy that we need for Montenegro as a state and society to progress on the European and Euro-Atlantic path.
"Therefore, even today, we call on the general public to practice and express freedom of expression, as a fundamental value of every democratic society, in a civilized way, which fosters a culture of dialogue and respect for those with whom we do not share the same worldviews and opinions," the announcement states.
The institution of the Protector reminded that hate speech, as a form of abuse of freedom of expression, undermines basic human rights and freedoms by violating the dignity, honor and reputation, personal and professional integrity of those who are its victims, and in its extreme forms incites and provokes violence.
"Hate speech has become a means of reckoning with dissenters and has already taken an established place in communication on social networks and the online space," said the institution of the Protector.
It is stated that the Protector encourages all social actors to criticize social events and update topics of public interest and importance.
"However, such criticism should not be based on insults, ridicule, misogyny, sexism and other unacceptable forms of expression," the statement added.
The institution of the Protector stated that in practice it has been shown that cases of hate speech in the short term always trigger an avalanche of reactions with new examples of hate speech, discrimination and intolerance.
"And not infrequently, well-intentioned reactions and drawing attention to these negative phenomena are used to settle accounts between dissenters and make unprincipled comparisons that do not contribute to solving the problem," said the institution of the Protector.
They pointed out that it cannot be said that activities of numerous subjects are not carried out in Montenegro with the aim of reducing the negative impact of this harmful narrative and increasing public awareness of this problem, but that it still does not bring the desired effects.
The institution of the Protector called on individuals, especially those in public positions, to use their own example to try to make a change in reactions and discussions on topics of social importance, because this is of vital importance for improving the overall atmosphere and strengthening national cohesion.
"The legislative framework in recent years has been strengthened and aligned with international standards, and the competent institutions process cases of hate speech more promptly, but there is certainly room for improvement in that direction as well," said the institution of the Protector.
They reminded that hate speech as a form of discrimination is defined in Article 9a of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination.
"At the same time, hate speech is implicitly recognized in the Criminal Code of Montenegro and the Law on Public Order and Peace," added the institution of the Protector.
They called on the holders of judicial functions to process hate speech, as an offense in the domain of misdemeanor - legal responsibility, through the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, and not almost exclusively through the Law on Public Order and Peace.
"Processing through the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination would send a clear message that hate speech represents the form of discrimination, and not only the work that disrupts public order and peace," said in a statement.
The Institution of the Protector appealed to all holders of public office, journalists, activists and academic citizens, to send strong messages of zero tolerance to hate speech and all its manifestations through their example and actions, thereby creating an environment that rejects and does not agree to hate speech through a counter-narrative. uncivilized plagues.
Bonus video:
