Joanikije: The Church and believers are often the target of hate speech by some social groups and individuals

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral said that the Church and believers are often the target of hate speech and exposed to all kinds of discrimination by some social groups and individuals.

As announced by the Metropolitanate, Joanikije met yesterday with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, Caroline Tiso, and with the Human Rights Advisor at the United Nations Office in Montenegro, Annette Lanting.

"The United Nations mission was interested in the views and opinions of the Metropolitan on topics of common importance, including the fight against hate speech, strengthening social cohesion, and possibilities for cooperation in the field of humanitarian action," the Metropolitanate said in a statement.

According to them, Joanikije presented the activities of the Metropolitanate to his interlocutors, emphasizing the Church's contribution to strengthening democracy and equality in Montenegrin society.

"At the same time, the Metropolitan pointed out that the Church itself and the faithful are often the target of hate speech and exposed to all kinds of discrimination by some social groups and individuals, citing several examples," the statement reads, without specifying which examples Joanikije cited.

He also reportedly expressed his expectation that the state would do even more to combat all negative phenomena in society.

He added that he believes that ethnic tensions and hate speech are often supported and inspired by certain political and criminal structures, and that they are not an expression of real hostilities between different communities.

"United Nations officials emphasized the importance of dialogue and the special responsibility of religious leaders in public action, given the fact that Montenegro is a multicultural and multiconfessional society. They also expressed their expectation that the capacities and position of institutions dealing with the protection of human rights will be improved in the coming period, emphasizing in this regard the need to strengthen the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms. The Metropolitan concluded that, in times of unrest, injustice, conflicts and wars, it is necessary to join every call for peace, the establishment of justice and the realization of the human rights of all citizens," the statement reads.