Non-governmental organizations and civic activists have condemned, as they announced, the threat that Democratic People's Party MP Milan Knežević made to environmental activist Aleksandar Dragićević.
They stated that Knežević, at a protest against the construction of a wastewater treatment plant in Botun, told Dragićević, "If he continues like this, I publicly promise him, we will come to his house with tractors of feces and spill them, so let him breathe if it's healthy, let him process it if it's healthy."
"Such a statement constitutes unacceptable intimidation and incitement to violence against Dragićević. Public officials are particularly responsible for every word spoken publicly and must not call for the commission of misdemeanors and criminal offenses. When an MP publicly makes such threats, it creates a real risk that one of his supporters will literally understand and put such messages into action. Such behavior may also constitute a criminal offense (threats, incitement to violence/harassment)," reads the statement signed by the Human Rights Action (HRA), the SPEKTRA Association, the Center for Civic Education (CCE), the Center for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro (CIN-CG), the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT), the Center for Women's Rights (CŽP), Ipso Facto, PRIMA, as well as civic activists Dina Bajramspahić, Darko Saveljić, Jovana Marović, Milica Kankaraš and Paula Petričević.
They point out that civic activists, such as Dragićević, are exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression and public advocacy for environmental protection.
"Criticism of state decisions or opinions on infrastructure projects must not be a reason for threats and stigmatization, but should be understood as a legitimate contribution to public debate and the democratic process. Dragićević has never threatened Knežević in any way. Montenegro has international obligations regarding the protection of human rights. As a member of the United Nations, it is obliged to respect the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1998), which guarantees the safety of all persons who peacefully promote and protect human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. Also, as a signatory to the Aarhus Convention, Montenegro has committed to ensuring that citizens have the full right to participate in environmental decision-making, without any fear of intimidation, reprisals or repression.
A group of NGOs and civic activists expect the competent state authorities to respond effectively to Dragićević's complaint against Knežević "for endangering the security and to provide full protection to the environmental activist."
"Otherwise, a dangerous message is sent that threats and intimidation of activists are tolerated, with serious consequences for the state of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Montenegro," the statement reads.
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