25 NGOs press release – appeal for effective investigation of attack on journalist Mladen Stojovic

Protest upon the attack on journalist Mladen Stojovic
29/05/2008
Joint statement by Women’s Safe House and Human Rights Action
18/09/2008

25 NGOs press release – appeal for effective investigation of attack on journalist Mladen Stojovic

Non-governmental organizations strongly protest against beating-up of the journalist Mladen Stojovic and call upon competent authorities to imminently discover perpetrators of this attack.

In the month when the entire world has marked the World Independent Media Day, Montenegro should not allow for such attacks to remain unrevealed, especially when it is known that earlier crimes against journalists and other public figures have still not been resolved.

We remind that the USA NGO ,,Freedom House” in its 2008 report evaluated Montenegro as partialy free country, and the attack against journalist Stojovic, that even happened within his home, testifies that the freedom of expression and media is indeed at a very low level.

In stead of suspecting wounded Stojovic, we appeal to the police to genuinly intensify official measures and act towards identification of persons who are behind this attack and who ordered this serious warrning.

We also appeal to the State Prosecutors’ Office to act upon their own initiative and effectively process this as well as other similar crimes.

We invite the PM Djukanovic, Minister of Interior Kalamperovic and the director of the Police Management to instigate resolution of the crime against Stojovic, and not to dilute this as well as other similar events and to publicly and clearly denounce all such acts.

  1. Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, Podgorica
  2. Citizens’ Association OZON, Niksic
  3. Center for Civic Education, Podgorica
  4. Roma Scholorship Foundation, Podgorica
  5. European Movement in Montenegro, Podgorica
  6. Association of the Blind of Montenegro, Podgorica
  7. Human Rights Action, Podgorica
  8. MAPSS, Podgorica
  9. Shelter for Women and Children Victims of Violence, Podgorica
  10. ANIMA, Kotor
  11. ADP Zid, Podgorica
  12. EXPEDITIO, Kotor
  13. Home of Hope, Podgorica
  14. Women Voters League, Niksic
  15. International Forum ”Montenegro”, Niksic
  16. Center for Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism, Podgorica
  17. Agua vita,  Bijelo Polje
  18. MOGUL, Ulcinj
  19. Zeleni gaj  – Rozaje
  20. PAX, Ulcinj
  21. Association of Parents of Montenegro, Podgorica
  22. Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Podgorica
  23. NVO „Female Heart”, Podgorica
  24. Group for Human Rights, Podgorica
  25. Montenegrin Cultural Circle, Cetinje

Podgorica 2 June 2008

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