Graffiti glorifying genocide and celebrating convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić has been painted on the building of the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in Podgorica, the Montenegrin Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MVP) announced, stating that they strongly condemn this act of vandalism.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that this heinous and unacceptable act represents a direct attack not only on the diplomatic mission of a friendly country, but also on the fundamental values of civilization, the culture of remembrance and the dignity of the victims of the most serious crimes committed on European soil after World War II.
"Montenegro unequivocally condemns any attempt to deny or relativize the genocide in Srebrenica, as well as the glorification of war crimes and their perpetrators," the Ministry said.
Such actions, they said, are contrary to the policy of good neighborly relations and Montenegro's commitment to contributing to regional reconciliation, stability and lasting peace.
"The citizens of Montenegro inherit European values, and we see this act as something that is in stark contrast to the fundamental principles on which our state is founded," the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that the Montenegrin Parliament adopted a Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica.
They stated that Montenegro, at the United Nations General Assembly in May last year, unreservedly supported the adoption of the Resolution on Srebrenica, which, among other things, condemns acts that glorify persons convicted before international courts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, including those responsible for the genocide in Srebrenica.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as stated by the department, expects the competent authorities to urgently identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this act of vandalism and to take all necessary measures to protect diplomatic and consular missions in accordance with Montenegro's international obligations.
"The Ministry expresses full solidarity with the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Podgorica and the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a strong message that there is no place in Montenegro for hate speech, glorification of crimes and attacks on diplomatic missions," the statement said.
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