Action for Human Rights proposed to the MPs to include hate speech as a special form of discrimination in the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, stating that such practice already exists in the environment and that the Constitution of Montenegro and other laws mandate the suppression of hatred on any basis.
Actions were also suggested to the MPs in the form of amendments to prohibit discrimination against children, as well as penal provisions for violating the law.
The Committee for Gender Equality should discuss the proposed amendments to this law today.
"The proposed amendments to the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination significantly improve the existing law, especially in terms of the mechanism of judicial protection against discrimination," the NGO's statement said.
Hate speech is, as explained, any form of expression that incites, incites and justifies hatred or violence against a person or group because of their personal characteristics,
It is recognized as a negative social phenomenon that should be suppressed by all necessary means, so the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe ordered the governments of the member states to establish and maintain a comprehensive legal framework consisting of civil, criminal and administrative legal provisions on hate speech, which enable state and judicial authorities to harmonize respect for freedom with respect for human dignity and the protection of the reputation of the rights of others in all cases.
With the second amendment, the Action suggests that a provision be inserted into the law prohibiting discrimination against children based on birth, health, property and other conditions.
Deputies are reminded that Montenegro has verified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, from 1989, which specifies that "contracting parties will take all appropriate measures to ensure the protection of children from all forms of discrimination or punishment based on status, activities, expressed the opinion or belief of the child's parents, legal guardians or family members".
Hate speech, as explained, is any form of expression that incites, incites and justifies hatred or violence against a person or group because of their personal characteristics
As the prohibition of discrimination against children is emphasized in existing laws only in certain areas, the Action considers it necessary to specify in the basic law that discrimination against children represents its special form.
Penalties for sexual harassment
The proposal suggested fines for misdemeanors, especially in relation to violations of specially prescribed forms of discrimination - "harassment and sexual harassment", "segregation" and "discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation".
"We specifically asked for a provision that would provide punishment for those who prevent others from expressing their gender identity or sexual orientation or who force others to publicly express their gender identity or sexual orientation," reads the statement of the Action for Human Rights.
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