Group of NGOs and civic activists: The "consecration" of the monument to Pavle Đurišić trampled on the institutional order in the country

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civic activists have pointed out that today's "dedication" of the monument to Pavle Đurišić, erected in the village of Gornje Zaostro near Berane, on a private property, has trampled on the institutional order in the state of Montenegro.

According to them, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) extended a hand of blessing to this ethical lapse, through the liturgy of Metropolitan Methodius of Budimlje-Niksic, thereby demonstrating its power over institutions and formal decision-makers.

"This act is not just an attempt to rewrite historical facts, but a direct attack on the anti-fascist foundations of contemporary Montenegro and an attempt to normalize ideologies that have left a bloody mark throughout the history of the region. Pavle Đurišić is no "hero", but an infamous commander responsible for mass crimes against the civilian population, primarily Muslims in the areas of Bijelo Polje, Pljevlja, Foča and Čajniče," the statement reads.

They pointed out that it is particularly worrying that the Serbian Orthodox Church continues to be an open promoter of the extreme right. Metropolitan Metodije's statement that he will "put the monument in the church" if it is removed is not just a provocation, but an open abuse of the religious platform for narrow political and ideological goals.

"This places this church, and not for the first time, on the side of the dark forces of history, instead of on the side of morality and elementary human dignity. The symbolism of this event is terrifying – an unauthorized monument, iconography of the Chetnik movement, people in uniforms and T-shirts glorifying collaboration with fascism. All of this, under the blessing of the clergy, with the passivity of the institutions and the silence of those responsible," the statement emphasizes.

As they said, erecting a monument to a war criminal on private property does not erase his public message.

"Moreover, it is intensifying. When institutions remain silent, when local government negotiates with adherents of fascism instead of reacting in accordance with the law, a clear message is sent: extremism and Chetnikism are desirable today, and anti-fascism is not. It also shows for the umpteenth time that in Montenegro not everyone is equal before the law and that institutions retreat in the face of threats from bullies," the statement reads.

NGOs and civic activists expressed their protest because the institutions allowed a day-long Chetnik feast, singing and celebrating, in "honor" of the criminal.

"This is a defeat of the rule of law in the face of extremism. We once again call on the competent institutions to react urgently - to permanently remove the monument to evil and hatred, to investigate and sanction the misuse of religious space, and to stop any attempt to normalize extremism through quasi-religion, mythology and pseudo-patriotism. This particularly applies to the local authorities in Berane, the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Police Directorate and the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, but also other responsible institutions and actors," it states.

They added that they are fully convinced that the majority in Montenegro does not support the rehabilitation of criminals known for massacres and we will never reconcile with deviations that promote atrocities and hatred.

"Because this is not just a question of the past. This is a question of the future – and on whose side of history we will stand," concludes the statement signed by: Ivana Vojvodić and Jovan Bojović, Juventas; Daliborka Uljarević, Center for Civic Education (CCE); Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action (HRA); Demir Ličina, Association Štrpci - Against Oblivion; Filip Kuzman, Antifascists Cetinje; Nevenka Vuksanović, Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM); Jovan Ulićević, Spektra; Zlatko Vujović, Center for Monitoring and Research (CEMI); Ervina Dabižinović, Center for Women's and Peace Education (ANIMA); Staša Bastašica, KVIR Montenegro; Ana Dedivanovic, Stana; Milica Kovačević, Center for Democratic Transition (CDT); Maja Raičević, Center for Women's Rights and Civic Activists, Jovana Marović, Dina Bajramspahić, Danijel Kalezić and Dušan Pajović.