Murić: Targeting Gorjanc Prelević and Radulović is an attack on a free society

Lawyer and executive director of the Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights (CKP), Velija Murić, announced today that the targeting of the executive director of the Human Rights Action (HRA), Tea Gorjanc Prelević, and lawyer Veselin Radulović is not just a personal attack, but that it is an attack on a free society.

"As representatives of the Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights (CKP), a non-governmental organization that consistently and publicly advocates for respect for human rights, the rule of law and the protection of the constitutional order of Montenegro, we feel a duty to speak out regarding the unacceptable attacks, targeting and political pressure to which the non-governmental organization Human Rights Action (HRA), its executive director Tea Gorjanc Prelević, and lawyer Veselin Radulović have been exposed in recent days," Murić said in a statement.

He added that Tea Gorjanc Prelević, as well as the HRA itself, have continuously demonstrated expertise, impartiality and consistency in the fight for human rights, the rule of law and an independent judiciary for many years.

"Their work has been recognized not only in Montenegro, but also by relevant European institutions. Their public exposure of illegal and non-transparent practices in the field of security and justice, including the so-called 'vetting' of police personnel carried out by the Democratic Montenegro political party, represents exactly what is expected of civil society organizations in a democratic society - critical oversight of the work of the government. Despite this, we are witnessing orchestrated reactions by individual representatives of the Democrats, including holders of high political office, which cross the boundaries of political discourse and take the form of personal targeting, verbal threats and attempts to discredit - not only the aforementioned individuals, but also the entire civil society sector. This is not only unacceptable, but also dangerous, because it threatens one of the key pillars of a democratic society - the freedom of expression and action of organizations that preserve the democratic order," said Murić.

He said that "it is particularly worrying that within the security sector, managed by the leader of the Democrats, Aleksa Bečić, actions are being carried out that by their nature constitute vetting - without a clear legislative framework, without judicial or disciplinary procedures, without the right to defense and, most dangerously, without institutional oversight."

"In such behavior, we recognize serious indications not only of abuse of authority but also of usurpation of the role of the state by a political party, which leads to the collapse of the constitutional system of Montenegro. The silence of the rest of the ruling majority on such behavior represents complicity. A democratic society is not based on the dominance of the majority, but on respect for the rights of the minority, freedom of criticism and control of power. If this control is absent – ​​or even worse, if there is an attempt to silence – then we are talking about a trend that we must not ignore. In this sense, we express full and unequivocal support for Tei Gorjanc Prelević, lawyer Radulović and all civil society actors who uncompromisingly advocate for the rule of law and constitutional order. Their fight is also our fight. Targeting them is not just a personal attack – it is an attack on a free society," said Murić.

He said that they call on "all competent institutions, but also the citizens of Montenegro, to recognize the danger in this trend and to publicly, openly and decisively stand in defense of the fundamental principles of the constitutional order, human rights and freedom of expression."

"In a time when silence is the easiest choice, we choose a voice – clear, responsible and well-argued," said Murić.