On the International Day for Countering Hate Speech, the ultimate goal of which is to strengthen peace and security in the world, HRA strongly condemns the threats made by the current mayor of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević from the political party New Serbian Democracy, to his opponents during the commemoration of the 166th anniversary of the Battle of Grahovac.

Kovačević essentially threatened with war against all who do not recognize themselves as his “brothers,” i.e., those who are not for the unification of Montenegro with Republika Srpska and Serbia and who do not practice Christian faith. This is a classic example of hate speech regarding political opinion, ethnicity and religion, which is particularly problematic as it comes from a high-ranking politician.

Kovačević violates the prohibition of war propaganda from Article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the constitutional prohibition of inciting hatred or intolerance. Hate speech entails misdemeanor liability, while inciting national, racial, and religious hatred also constitutes a criminal offense.

Human Rights Action appeals to the prosecutor’s office to adequately respond to any speech by politicians that directly or indirectly calls for violence and intolerance in public discourse. Hate speech by extreme nationalist politicians, such as Kovačević, causes immeasurable harm to the mixed community such as Montenegro.

The State Prosecutor’s Office should diligently suppress hate speech, which leads to a new bloodshed, instead of inviting critics of previous hate speech of Nikšić’s Mayor to informative interviews, as in March of this year (see “Repression of freedom of expression by interrogating persons who commented on the views of the obscure mayor of Nikšić”).

We expect from democratic parties in power in Nikšić to support the proposal of the Councilor’s Club for dismissal of Marko Kovačević. Otherwise, they will affirm a retrograde policy opposing the modern concept of democracy.