Civil Society: Ground-level attacks on Tea Gorjanc Prelević, hiding behind anonymous statements shows the "strength" of the Democrats

A group of 29 civil society organizations and activists condemned the "several-day attack" by Democratic Montenegro on the personality and integrity of the director of the Human Rights Action, Tea Gorjanc Prelević, due to, as they said, her clear, principled and well-argued position that insists on the law and international standards, including the right to criticize the government.

They said that in a democratic society, differing opinions are not only permitted, but also desirable, and that it is worrying when the government begins to equate a party with an institution and the state, because this stifles any space for a critical stance. No party, including Democratic Montenegro, may be above institutions or assume the right to dispense justice and determine who is "worthy" of public participation and in what way, they said in a joint statement.

They point out that Tea Gorjanc Prelević has been contributing to building a more just society for almost two decades, without calculations and with courageous opposition to every government, and that attributing political bias to her means covering up the powerlessness and lack of arguments of those who basely attack her.

It is particularly unacceptable, they said, for a ruling political party to take action against a prominent civil society activist, through anonymous statements.

"While Tea Gorjanc Prelević signs all her positions with her name and integrity, the Democrats hide their attacks behind a collective seal, which best speaks of their 'strength'," they point out.

They believe that the Democrats, as a constituent of the government, have an obligation to show more tolerance and responsibility towards criticism. "Unfortunately, we witness their almost daily confrontations with anyone who dares to think differently - from lawyers to activists - while trying to turn the security sector into a training ground for political promotion."

They also said that lawyer Veselin Radulović has the right, within the legal framework, to protect the rights of his clients, as well as to proactively try, through existing legal mechanisms, to influence the limitations of dangerous autocracy in the security sector.

"Likewise, the Human Rights Action (HRA) and Tea Gorjanc Prelević, who have focused on human rights for decades, must have the freedom to defend those whose rights they recognize are being violated and not experience threats, attempts at intimidation and discredit from the party that runs the security sector."

They say that where a party takes on the role of judge, the rule of law ceases.

"Censorship, verdicts without a trial, and the suppression of criticism pave the way for authoritarianism and are reminiscent of totalitarian models. Democrats should publicly answer everyone: is this the vision of society they advocate for today?" they said.

They emphasize that other ruling parties also bear responsibility, because "their silence contributes to a very poor climate for the functioning of civil society."

"We call on all social actors, including the Ombudsman, to stand up for the protection of freedom of expression, the right to defense and the rule of law. Otherwise, everyone becomes complicit in the collapse of the democratic foundations of Montenegro," reads the statement signed by:

1. Dr. Adnan Čirgić, Montenegrin PEN Center
2. Aida Perović, NGO PRIMA
3. Alek Barović, NGO Montenegrins Danilovgrad
4. Andro Martinović, Regional Cooperation Initiative of Montenegro (Igman Initiative)
5. Daliborka Uljarević, Center for Civic Education (CCE)
6. Ervina Dabižinović, Center for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA
7. Jovan Ulićević, SPEKTRA Association
8. Kristina Mihailović, Parents Association
9. Maja Raičević, Center for Women's Rights (CzP)
10. Marina Vujačić, Association of Disabled Youth of Montenegro (UMHCG)
11. Dr. Maja Kostić Mandić, Lawyers' Association of Montenegro
12. Dr. Milan Marković, Montenegrin Philological Society
13. Milena Popović Samadžić, NGO Ipso Facto
14. Milka Tadić Mijović, Center for Investigative Reporting of Montenegro (CIN CG)
15. Miloš Vuković, Fidelity Consulting
16. Miodrag Vujović, KOD Organization
17. Dr. Nikoleta Tomović, Sociological Center of Montenegro (SOCENE)
18. Olivera Nikolić, Media Institute of Montenegro (IMCG)
19. Slavica Striković, Women's Action
20. Vladimir Nikaljevic, STEGA
21. Zenepa Lika, Dr Martin Schneider-Jacoby Assoc Society (MSJA)
22. Dr. Zlatko Vujović, Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI)
23. Danijel Kalezić, civic activist
24. Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
25. Dušan Pajević, civic activist
26. Jovana Marović, civic activist
27. Milena Bešić, civil activist
28. Paula Petričević, civic activist
29. Tamara Milaš, civic activist