Human Rights Action (HRA) requested today access to information on the legal basis for the limitation of the freedom of expression in cases of the group of handball fans “Eagles”, the group “OTPOR (Resistance) to Montenegrin regime”, and the activists of NGO “No to War – No to NATO“.

Namely, authorized officers of the Police Directorate of Montenegro prohibited banners of the group of handball fans “Eagles” at handball matches between Lovćen and Metalurg (27 February 2013), between Lovćen and Sloga (2 March 2013) and between Lovćen and Zagreb (16 March 2013). Also, officers of the Police Directorate prohibited banners of activists of NGO “No to War – No to NATO” during a ceremony organized by the Atlantic Alliance of Montenegro and the Ministry of Defense, on the occasion of 64th anniversary of NATO (4 April 2013).

HRA also requested information on the legal basis for the arrest of members of the group “OTPOR (Resistance) to Montenegrin regime”, who protested in front of the Parliament of Montenegro, on 31 May 2013.

The above mentioned actions of the Police Directorate officers sparked public anxiety and suspicion of abuse of power for personal and party use, in violation of freedom of expression.

The request for access to information is available here.