The Institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro (Ombudsman) has announced that it condemns racist and other offensive and nationalistic chants by some fans of the Croatian national football team, because such incidents, as they say, threaten the values of sport, tolerance and democracy in a broader sense.
"Sports events have the potential to bring people together, to foster mutual understanding and cooperation. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders — match organizers, sports federations, state bodies, the media and the fans themselves — to work together to create an environment in which human dignity is respected and diversity is acknowledged," the statement said.
The Ombudsman institution reminded that this is not a matter of choice but a Council of Europe standard, which stems from the Recommendation of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) on General Policy No. 12 on combating racism and racial discrimination in the field of sport (December 2008).
"ECRI defines racism as 'the belief that a ground such as race, colour, language, religion, nationality or national or ethnic origin justifies contempt for a person or group of persons or the notion of superiority of one person or group of persons'. ECRI has noted that racism and racial discrimination in sport manifest themselves in a multitude of different forms, and that the general public is usually only aware of the most egregious forms of racial abuse in the most popular sports disciplines. According to ECRI, racist behaviour to be prohibited includes racist insults and chants, the waving of racist banners and symbols and the carrying, distribution and sale of racist, anti-Semitic and discriminatory banners, symbols, flags, leaflets or pictures," the statement explains.
In this regard, an unacceptable and negative message was also sent by the attack on the visiting fans' van upon their arrival in Montenegro and by comments made by individuals on social media, which is also the ugly side of the background of a sporting event that attracted great public attention, the Ombudsman adds.
"On the other hand, we share a positive attitude towards the way the audience cheered on the Montenegrin national team during the match, while also showing respect for the guests, which was also emphasized by the representatives of the Croatian national team themselves. We call on the competent institutions and sports organizations, in accordance with their powers, to take appropriate measures against individuals or groups that spread hatred and incite violence, as well as to continue to develop mechanisms for the prevention of discrimination and the promotion of tolerance on sports fields, which should be a space for gathering, togetherness and mutual respect, regardless of national or other differences. Let us all do more together so that through good results and fair cheering we are recognized and acknowledged by the world sports public," the statement concludes.
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