Six non-governmental organizations called on the president of the administrative committee of the parliament, MP of the Europe Now Movement, Jelena Nedović, to facilitate a statement on the lifting of the immunity of the MP of the New Serbian Democracy and the president of the Nikšić Municipality, Marko Kovačević.
The higher state prosecutor's office in Podgorica previously asked that committee to revoke Kovačević's immunity, because they had filed a case against him for the criminal offense of inciting national, racial and religious hatred.
A group of NGOs announced on the occasion of the International Day of the Fight against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, saying that Montenegro "is and must remain grounded in the anti-fascist heritage".
They believe, among other things, that Kovačević uses "warmongering and nationalist" rhetoric.
"Today, November 9, is the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, and in memory of 'Kristallnacht', the event that on this day in 1938 marked the beginning of the mass persecution of Jews by Nazi Germany. The violence that broke out then on German streets and squares meant the beginning of systematic state persecution and genocide, primarily against Jews, and then also against Roma and others. This kind of physical violence was preceded by verbal violence - the rise of anti-Semitism in the form of hate speech prepared the ground for the systematic destruction of over six million Jews in World War II. war," the announcement reminds.
The promotion of hatred, through prejudices and lies aimed at different minorities, especially ethnic and religious ones, together with misogyny and religious fanaticism, is increasingly present in Montenegrin society, according to: executive director of Action for Human Rights Tea Gorjanc Prelevic, executive director of Spektra Association Jovan Ulićević , program director of the Center for Democratic Transition Milica Kovačević, executive director of the Center for Civic Education Daliborka Uljarević, executive director of the Center for Women's Rights Maja Raičević and director of the Media Institute of Montenegro Olivera Nikolić.
They say that the responsible state authorities must actively oppose every form of fascism and discrimination.
"In recent years, the increasingly present attempts to revise history, which relativize the essential difference between the fascist and anti-fascist movements - the former dealt with the systematic extermination of people, and the latter with their defense and fight against the occupiers, are particularly worrying. Montenegro is and must remain grounded in the anti-fascist heritage, which is the foundation of today's democratic society and which must not be relativized, especially not by decision-makers.We are increasingly witnessing the revival of nationalist narratives, which want to quarrel on ethnic and religious grounds, and which return us to the dark nineties and the wars on the soil of the former Yugoslavia. "
Representatives of NGOs expressed their concern about "the state's tolerance towards inflammatory rhetoric, which is heard more and more often in the public space".
"The war-mongering and nationalistic rhetoric of influential decision-makers, such as the deputy and president of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, or the recent statement of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, in the show Cyrillic. Such statements contribute to the strengthening of tensions and the radicalization of society, and encourage violence. Also, the state has so far not stopped unregistered portals that create inter-religious tensions, spread misinformation and prejudice against minority groups, thus inciting hatred and violence. These 'hate platforms' mirror the dangerous rhetoric of the 1990s."
They said that society and the state must immediately react to "indications that can cause tensions and divisions, and potentially lead to new tragedies."
"We call on the decision-makers to refrain from hate speech and to strengthen efforts to combat extremism and intolerance, through strengthening institutional capacities for the effective fight against these destructive phenomena. In this regard, we call on the president of the Administrative Board, Jelena Nedović, to allow a statement on the abolition of immunity MP Kovačević."
In the NGO sector, they expect the prosecutor's office to consistently act in accordance with the law and react to every form of hate speech.
"We believe it is important to invest in building a society resistant to destructive influences, with consistent application of the law and timely reaction. Only by acting responsibly can we preserve social cohesion and protect the fundamental values of anti-fascism, which are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Montenegro," the announcement reads.
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