"The state must absolve itself of guilt for the deportation of Bosnian-Herzegovinian refugees from Montenegro"

The state must absolve itself of the blame for the deportation of Bosnian-Herzegovinian refugees from Montenegro, said the Bosniak Council, and called on the authorities to bring this, as well as other cases of war crimes, up to date and end them legally.

The Bosniak Council stated that Montenegro paid compensation to the families of the victims, but did not provide criminal justice in that case - shed light on the crime and found the perpetrators and direct perpetrators.

They recalled that this crime, even after three decades, was not prosecuted in accordance with international or domestic law.

"So that everyone who participated in it in any way would be brought to justice," the announcement added.

Member of the Bosniak Council, Bejto Šahmanović, said that the only sin of the deportees was their Bosniak name and surname, which they were given at birth.

As he stated, that crime still represents a double stain on the face of the country, which in its history was proud of its integrity.

"Firstly because innocent people were deported by executioners, and secondly because the crime has been going on indirectly for 30 years and nobody has yet been adequately punished for the suffering of civilians who sought salvation in our country," Šahmanović said.

The Bosniak Council said that they fully support the idea and demands of certain entities and non-governmental organizations that are advocating for the construction of an adequate memorial in Herceg Novi, which is the wish of the families of the victims and righteous citizens, to send a message that never again this kind of sin happens in Montenegro.