UZOR and DPNCG: We submitted the initiative to VDT and UP regarding the recommendations of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists

The Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development (UZOR) and the Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG) submitted today the initiative to the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office (VDT) and the Police Directorate (UP) regarding the recommendations of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists, which of these two institutions remained unaddressed in the current period, and they concern attacks on journalists, it was announced from UZOR.

They pointed out that one of the important temporary benchmarks for Chapter 23 for Montenegro in the area of ​​fundamental rights and policy is zero tolerance towards threats and attacks on journalists with a focus on criminal investigations in such cases.

"It was on the basis of the temporary benchmarks for Chapter 23 that the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists was established, which additionally points to the importance of a timely and essential reaction of the competent authorities with the aim of improving the European path of Montenegro. Bearing in mind the absence of an adequate reaction of the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office and the Police Administration , it is necessary to make additional efforts to effectively address the unfulfilled recommendations of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists, with an emphasis on older cases, as well as to provide quick and effective protection of journalists in relation to all forms of violence," states the statement signed by the project UZOR manager Željka Ćetković.

They said that in the case of the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office, it is necessary to enter all missing data such as the dates of the attacks, submission of indictments/requests for the initiation of misdemeanor proceedings, final statements/notices of the prosecutors, etc.

Additionally, they say that it is necessary for the VDT to collect data on cases of attacks on journalists and media that are not in the records and finally, to submit to the Commission all the documentation on cases of attacks on journalists that it failed to submit.

"Regular review of the safety of the most vulnerable journalists and media in cooperation with other competent state bodies is required from the Police Directorate. Then, the Police Directorate should determine the possible responsibility of prosecutors and police officers for the onset of the statute of limitations in the misdemeanor proceedings in the case of the attack on Vladimir Otašević and in the criminal proceedings in in the case of the attack on Mladen Stojović and Milovan Novović. The aforementioned recommendations are important for establishing the facts in cases of attacks on journalists in the previous period, and acting on them would send a message to journalists, but also to all citizens, that the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office and the Police Directorate are doing everything they can in their power to contribute to the protection of journalists in Montenegro," the announcement reads.

They said that part of the initiated initiatives is the invitation of UZOR and the DPNCG to the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office and the Police Directorate, as they state, with the aim of achieving full transparency of work in dealing with cases of attacks on journalists and media property, and facilitating the work of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations attacks on journalists to improve the speed and responsiveness to the Commission's recommendations and inquiries.

"The initiatives regarding the recommendations of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists are part of the efforts of the Association for Responsible and Sustainable Development (UZOR), the Association of Professional Journalists of Montenegro (DPNCG) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, which implement the project 'Effective Prevention and Protection of Journalists in Montenegro', which is financed by the European Union through the EU Delegation in Podgorica. The goal of the project is to support the full and effective protection of journalists and other media workers and to improve the harmonization of the legislative framework with the EU legal acquis," the announcement concludes.