Non-governmental organizations and civic activists welcome the decision of the Public Institution “Ratković Evenings of Poetry” to remove the name of Radovan Karadžić, a war criminal sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity, and violations of the laws and customs of war, from the list of award recipients published on its official website. 

We recall that on 26 June we submitted an initiative to this institution to revoke the “Risto Ratković” poetry award granted to Karadžić during the war in 1993. By being hosted by the Montenegrin leadership at the time, he was in effect given political legitimacy for his role in the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We regret that the Public Institution “Ratković Evenings of Poetry” did not recognize our initiative as its responsibility in its first response, and that it failed to make the decision to revoke the award before 11 July 11, i.e. the commemoration of the 30 years of the Srebrenica genocide. Only after our second letter, in which we pointed out that Karadžić’s name was still on the list of laureates, did the decision follow to remove it – and even then, without any public communication. Nevertheless, we consider this move important, as it represents a first symbolic step toward correcting the mistake made in 1993, which damaged the reputation of the award, the name of writer Risto Ratković, and the dignity of Bijelo Polje, a town that even in the hardest times was an example of solidarity and respect for diversity.

Also, taking into account the entire context, we commend the position of the President of the Council of the Public Institution “Ratkovićeve večeri poezije”, who emphasized that this process should be formally and legally finalized, and we expect this to be brought to completion as soon as possible.

It is of great importance to send a clear message at all levels that culture cannot be placed in the service of crime. 

Furthermore, since the 55th Ratkovićeve večeri poezije begin on 3 September, we invite everyone to visit Bijelo Polje and follow parts of the interesting three-day programme.

Daliborka Uljarević, Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Human Rights Action (HRA)
Ervina Dabižinović, Centre for Women’s and Peace Education ANIMA
Demir Ličina, Association “Štrpci – Against Oblivion”
Velija Murić, Montenegrin Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Jovana Marović, civic activist