Human Rights Action (HRA) appeals for restraint from expressing, inciting or encouraging hatred, intolerance or violence toward citizens of Turkey and other foreigners in Montenegro.

We strongly condemn hate speech accompanied by calls for murder, particularly the vandalizing of a store in downtown Podgorica and the burning of cars owned by Turkish citizens.

We urge citizens to bear in mind that individuals, not entire peoples or states, are responsible for individual incidents.

Assigning collective guilt and calling for violence against the nation to which the perpetrator of an incident belongs is prohibited and leads to a wave of violence.

Criminal responsibility is strictly individual and consistent application of this principle must be preserved in Montenegro as a civic state based on the rule of law.

We warn that the Criminal Code of Montenegro provides for harsher penalties for criminal acts committed out of hatred based on national or ethnic affiliation.

Hate speech, incitement to violence, and destruction of others’ property are criminal offenses under the laws of Montenegro, and all those responsible must be identified and prosecuted.

The Higher State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica has opened a case to determine the circumstances surrounding all the mentioned incidents and is efficiently performing its duties.

According to a statement from the Police Administration, in the incident that occurred on Saturday evening—in which a Montenegrin citizen was beaten and sustained multiple stab wounds—one citizen of Azerbaijan and one citizen of Turkey took part and were arrested.

The Police Administration, in cooperation with the competent state prosecutor’s office, is working on clarifying the event. The video circulating on social media does not explain the context of the incident, and it is unclear who attacked first.

The footage shows three men running out of a café and joining the fight.

The hate campaign against Turkish citizens, as well as against all other foreigners who legally work—for example, for delivery companies—is a direct attack on the principles of a civic society such as Montenegro.

Incidents must in no way serve as a reason for collective condemnation or discrimination against all members of the Turkish people, whether in everyday affairs or public life.

We appeal to representatives of state authorities, citizens, and the media to persistently prevent new hate incidents, refrain from any discrimination, and contribute to calming tensions and protecting social peace.

Montenegro must be a state governed by law—where everyone is accountable for their own actions, where there is no collective or summary judgment, and where all are equally protected by law, regardless of origin, citizenship, or any other personal characteristic.