Non-governmental organisations and civic activists submitted, on Friday, a complaint to the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms (the Ombudsman) due to the public glorification of Pavle Đurišić. We consider that the erection of a monument to Hitler’s ally, who is responsible for the mass killing of thousands of civilians in the north of Montenegro during the Second World War, constitutes hate speech primarily towards Muslims and Bosniaks, but also towards all citizens who uphold civic values such as respect for human rights and anti-fascism.žIn the complaint, we particularly emphasised the erection of a monument to Đurišić in Gornje Zaostro and the singing of songs glorifying him in the hospitality establishment “Radovče” in Podgorica.

We also raised the issue that the state prosecution has, to this day, failed to recognize this as hate speech.

We recall that Đurišić is remembered for monstrous crimes against the Muslim civilian population, including the killing of at least 8,000 women, children, and the elderly, as well as systematic rapes, torture, and the burning of villages, and it is therefore clear that the glorification of such a figure represents hate speech, which incites discrimination and hostility primarily towards Muslims/Bosniaks, as well as towards all anti-fascists.

We requested that the Ombudsman, in accordance with his competences, examine all the circumstances, establish the existence of grounds for discrimination and hate speech, undertake appropriate measures for the protection of the rights and freedoms of discriminated persons, and warn the public about the occurrence of more severe forms of discrimination.

We hope that the opinion and recommendations of the Ombudsman will prevent such manifestations of the spread of hatred which destabilise Montenegro and endanger the legal order.

Tea Gorjanc Prelević, Executive Director, Human Rights Action (HRA)
Filip Kuzman, Executive Director, Antifascists of Cetinje
Nevenka Vuksanović, Executive Director, Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM)
Milica Kovačević, Programme Director, Centre for Democratic Transition (CDT)
Daliborka Uljarević, Executive Director, Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Maja Raičević, Executive Director, Women Rights Centre (WRC)
Milena Popović Samardžić, Executive Director, Ipso Facto
Miloš Vukanović, President, Association of Professors of History of Montenegro – HIPMONT
Dina Bajramspahić, civic activist
Paula Petričević, civic activist