The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) organized a photo exhibition titled “Not a Woman’s Job? Women Leading Countries, Societies and Communities” to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy. The exhibition opened on 30 June at the Palais des Nations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro invited Human Rights Action to have a photograph of its Executive Director, Tea Gorjanc Prelević, included in the exhibition, recognizing, as they stated, the decades-long work of Human Rights Action in the systemic improvement of the human rights situation in Montenegro, including the recognized expert, non-selective and independent work and public activism of HRA Executive Director Gorjanc Prelević, which place her in the role of a civil society leader in the field of human rights and freedoms, as well as her developed and expert cooperation with the United Nations system.

We thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Directorate for the United Nations, and the Permanent Mission of Montenegro in Geneva for this invitation and for recognizing the contribution of civil society.

Text published below the photograph: Human rights activist Tea Gorjanc Prelević has spent more than two decades standing with victims of war crimes and families of the disappeared, demanding truth, justice and remembrance in Montenegro. Through fearless advocacy, strategic litigation and regional reconciliation initiatives, she has challenged impunity, represented families of victims in the Deportation of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Refugees case and, since 2011, advocated for a memorial monument honoring the victims and preserving public memory. Photo author: Vuk Ilić

On this occasion, Tea Gorjanc Prelević gave the following comment:

“The decision to feature me at a photo exhibition of distinguished women in Geneva, alongside the Ambassador of Montenegro to Ukraine, Ms. Borjanka Simićević, says a great deal about the willingness in Montenegro to recognize the contribution of activists from civil society.

It is very important to bring together the strengths of all those who contribute to the public interest, especially in a small country such as Montenegro. It is also proof that democracy is strengthened through criticism of the authorities.

This recognition also has special personal value for me, as it confirms my decision to live and work in Montenegro for the past 26 years. It speaks to the generosity of a country that is willing to recognize the contribution of immigrants as well. I am proud to live in such a country.”