Non-governmental organizations strongly protest against beating-up of the journalist Mladen Stojovic and call upon competent authorities to imminently discover perpetrators of this attack.

In the month when the entire world has marked the World Independent Media Day, Montenegro should not allow for such attacks to remain unrevealed, especially when it is known that earlier crimes against journalists and other public figures have still not been resolved.

We remind that the USA NGO ,,Freedom House” in its 2008 report evaluated Montenegro as partialy free country, and the attack against journalist Stojovic, that even happened within his home, testifies that the freedom of expression and media is indeed at a very low level.

In stead of suspecting wounded Stojovic, we appeal to the police to genuinly intensify official measures and act towards identification of persons who are behind this attack and who ordered this serious warrning.

We also appeal to the State Prosecutors’ Office to act upon their own initiative and effectively process this as well as other similar crimes.

We invite the PM Djukanovic, Minister of Interior Kalamperovic and the director of the Police Management to instigate resolution of the crime against Stojovic, and not to dilute this as well as other similar events and to publicly and clearly denounce all such acts.

1. Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations, Podgorica
2. Citizens’ Association OZON, Niksic
3. Center for Civic Education, Podgorica
4. Roma Scholorship Foundation, Podgorica
5. European Movement in Montenegro, Podgorica
6. Association of the Blind of Montenegro, Podgorica
7. Human Rights Action, Podgorica
8. MAPSS, Podgorica
9. Shelter for Women and Children Victims of Violence, Podgorica
10. ANIMA, Kotor
11. ADP Zid, Podgorica
12. EXPEDITIO, Kotor
13. Home of Hope, Podgorica
14. Women Voters League, Niksic
15. International Forum ”Montenegro”, Niksic
16. Center for Initiatives for Sustainable Tourism, Podgorica
17. Agua vita,  Bijelo Polje
18. MOGUL, Ulcinj
19. Zeleni gaj  – Rozaje
20. PAX, Ulcinj
21. Association of Parents of Montenegro, Podgorica
22. Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Podgorica
23. NVO „Female Heart”, Podgorica
24. Group for Human Rights, Podgorica
25. Montenegrin Cultural Circle, Cetinje

Podgorica 2 June 2008

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