NGO: Commemoration in Morinje should be free of bans and uniformed control, remembrance must not be subject to military discipline

Human Rights Action (HRA), the Center for Civic Education (CCE) and the Center for Women's and Peace Education ANIMA expressed "regret and protest" because, as they said, official Montenegro, instead of exclusively dignified commemoration of the war crime against Croatian prisoners in the former "Morinj" camp, "sent hypocritical messages" on that occasion.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the three NGOs stated, had the correct approach and messages, while the Ministry of Defense prevented the public from attending the event and documenting it with photographs, with "the unkindness of some military personnel, which the guests from Croatia also publicly complained about."

"Thus, official Montenegro, whose government is visibly dysfunctional, instead of honestly publicly confronting the past, has shown an irresponsible attitude that represents a violation of the culture of remembrance, a simulation of piety and a continuation of the policy of denial. Such an approach encourages a harmful narrative and actions by opponents of this commemoration and those who deny that a war crime occurred at this military facility. This further insults the victims, humiliates their families, but also all citizens of Montenegro who believe that the truth is a prerequisite for dignity, not a threat to the state," the statement reads.

They say that CCE, ANIMA and HRA consistently advocate for the worthy commemoration of all war crime sites and the adoption of "a clear state policy of remembrance, which would pay due respect to the victims and, by condemning all crimes, prevent their recurrence."

"Therefore, we demand that in the future this commemoration be organized publicly, accessible and dignified, without bans, fences and uniformed control, because remembrance must not be subject to military discipline," they said.

HRA, ANIMA and CCE also believe that the site of the former "Morinj" camp should be demilitarized and converted into an educational center that would offer programs for students from Montenegro, Croatia and the region. They add that such a center should also have a memorial plaque erected, which would "remind us of the crime that occurred, for which four members of the JNA were finally sentenced to prison terms."

"A responsible policy is one that is based on confronting the past, acknowledging the suffering of all victims of war crimes and other serious human rights violations, and advocating for justice for all victims. Only with such an approach can we build a society that respects the dignity of every individual and a future in which our children will cooperate with their neighbors," the statement reads.