NGO Human Rights Action condemns obstruction of public discussion on the Draft Law on Freedom of Religion yesterday in Bijelo Polje by members of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which have by verbally attacking the Metropolitan of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, representatives of this church and the Minister for Human and Minority Rights disabled any form of discussion.

Although the police has prevented physical attack on the Metropolitan and representatives of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church by the Serbian Orthodox Church followers, as media reported, HRA is concerned by the fact that the police failed to secure holding of discussion, i.e. that it failed to secure enjoyment of basic human rights to public assembly and freedom of speech in Bijelo Polje.

Bearing in mind that Prevention of Public Gatherings is a criminal offence prescribed by Art. 181 of the Criminal Code of Montenegro, as well as Violation of Freedom of Speech and Public Appearance (Art. 178, CC) and Endangering Safety (Art. 168, CC), HRA expects the Police and the competent State Prosecutor’s Office to report who is going to be prosecuted and when will they be able to secure that the postponed public discussion in Bijelo Polje is held in a civilised manner.

HRA team