The Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro strongly condemned the text "Concert for Nermin: Islamization of Podgorica?", published on certain portals, for calling for intolerance and discrimination in relation to the personal characteristics of an individual.
The Ombudsperson's office said that the text contains unacceptable and offensive segments that deeply undermine the foundations of multi-confessional, multi-national, cultural diversity and coexistence.
"The concert, whatever audience it gathered, regardless of political, national and other affiliations, and as an expression of art, creativity and cultural achievements, must not be instrumentalized in the way that was attempted with the disputed announcement. In this way, national and religious Intolerance. Saying in the text itself that the concert brought together singers of various national and religious profiles is the biggest denial of the essence of what was announced, and an indication that the spirit of diversity, freedom and coexistence cannot and should not be restrained," the announcement states.
It is added that Montenegro is the country of all its citizens and no one has the right to deny anyone the freedom of artistic creativity and political activity by eliminating cultural features and that which does not belong to just one religion but to all of us.
"In addition, this is another dangerous phenomenon, which is the stigmatization and targeting of the other and the different. Including extremism in relation to the religious, linguistic and cultural features of a part of our society.
Although we are used to the fact that in the pre-election period, unfortunately, such and similar examples of expressing opinions and carrying out activities that encourage discrimination and other forms of unacceptable behavior occur more often, this time we also appeal that political activity be adapted to democratic standards, a culture of dialogue, with respect for rights and the freedom of all participants in the electoral process," the announcement concludes.
Bonus video:
