Freedom of association
An analysis by the Centre for Civic Education (CGO) reveals that, while each of the last three Prime Ministers initially committed to fostering partnership between the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), no practical progress has been made. While the new government under Milojko Spajić has yet to demonstrate its stance on civil society, the previous government led by Dritan Abazović adopted a hostile position towards critically oriented NGOs. This led to open conflicts with some of the most influential and credible NGOs in the country, sparking responses from both domestic and international audiences. Furthermore, announced measures to improve conditions for NGO work, including the proposed new Law on NGOs, have not been implemented, and NGOs continue to be ignored or are labelled as adversaries.
Anti-terrorist unit chief threatens civil society
In November 2023, Petar Knežević, the Acting Commander of the Police Administration’s Anti-Terrorist Unit, lashed out in a threatening statement targeting NGOs and activists during an interview, saying, “When you go to the toilets of foreign intelligence services, don't talk cheaply about me because that has its price.” The European Union Delegation in Podgorica responded, stressing that rather than engaging in public criticism and accusations against civil society representatives, authorities are expected to foster an environment supportive of constructive civil society participation. Two weeks later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that they had begun a procedure to assess the propriety of Knežević's actions. In response, Bojana Malović, a legal adviser at Action for Human Rights, highlighted the chronic lack of accountability among civil servants, noting that state offices are often misused for personal interests and grievances.
Civic activist brutally beaten
In December 2023, in Nikšić, activist Boško Pavićević suffered severe injuries in a violent assault by a group of individuals he had recorded engaging in disruptive and violent behaviour. The young men had driven their car onto Freedom Square, a pedestrianised area, and revved the engine. They also damaged flowers in the square and kicked stray dogs. Pavićević first asked them to stop, then began recording on his phone when they continued. They demanded he delete the footage and beat him when he refused, leaving him with a broken jaw and multiple skull fractures. Three days later, the Basic State Prosecutor's Office in Nikšić announced that, at the prosecutor’s recommendation, the suspects had been detained.
The NGO Green Home condemned the attack, urging authorities to act swiftly and ensure appropriate punishment for the perpetrators. They stressed that “violence and intimidation must not be a means of suppressing freedom of expression and active citizen participation.” Green Home highlighted this incident as further evidence of the "narrowed space for critically oriented civil society" and civic participation, where intolerance, hate speech, and campaigns are increasingly used to silence those who spotlight societal issues. They also criticised decision-makers for fostering an environment that discourages activism and fails to protect civil society.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
Protests for women’s rights
Women’s issues dominated the reporting period when it comes to the practice of freedom of peaceful assembly in Montenegro. On 25th November, in Kotor, marking the International Day against Violence Against Women, Anima Centre for Women's and Peace Education organised a silent anti-war feminist protest, with participants dressed in black. This coordinated action, involving street protests in various cities, was conducted in cooperation with Women in Black from Belgrade, Serbia, and the Network of Women in Black in Italy and Spain.
In mid-December, several protests by NGOs and activists occurred outside the Government building following the court’s verdict in the murder case of Zimrita Nerda. The High Court sentenced Dalibor Nikolić to 12 years in prison for domestic violence instead of the 40-year sentence for aggravated murder requested by the public prosecutor. In January 2022, Nikolić had beaten the pregnant Nerda to death in front of their three minor children. Banners read: “A victim of femicide in Montenegro dies twice”, “I don't want to be brave, I want to be safe”, “Death to patriarchy, not to women”, and “You are not a man if you are an abuser”. The Centre for Women’s Rights called on the Government to reform the system of prevention and protection against domestic violence and to implement specific measures to improve the situation. Protesters argued that inadequate penal policies "trivialise the life of a woman and undermine the importance of a genuine fight against violence". A related protest in Nikšić aimed to raise awareness about increasing violence across society, prompted by the attacks on activist Boško Pavićević and the murder of Zimrita Nerda.
On 28th December 2023, in Podgorica, the Centre for Women’s Rights and the citizens’ initiative “Last Drop” organised a protest under the slogan “Security: a right, not a privilege", in response to a series of violent events with tragic outcomes and inadequate official responses, including the case of Zimrita Nerda. Protesters demanded that the Prime Minister establish a national body to coordinate and prevent all forms of violence as per the Istanbul Convention. At a press conference of the Montenegrin Women's Lobby, it was stated that recent years have seen a collapse and significant degradation in women’s human rights in Montenegro, an increase in all forms of violence against women, selective application of legislative norms against abusers, and a rise in femicides.
Environmental and community protests
In December, several protests took place concerning local community and environmental issues, including objections to the construction of a boulevard between Tivat and Jaz, concerns over the devastation of greenery due to the construction of a residential building development in Gorica, and delays in road reconstruction in Martinići. On 5th January 2024, residents of Đurđevića Tara blocked the Tara River bridge to protest the installation of power transmission lines in that area. Misdemeanour charges were filed against one protester for obstructing the bridge with his car, though protesters claimed they had duly informed the police of their intentions and announced the bridge blockade in advance.
Educational sector protests
There were also numerous protests in the reporting period in connection with the education sector, reflecting different concerns. On 27th December 2023, the Education Union of Montenegro (SPCG) organised a protest outside Parliament in response to the Budget for the following year, which does not include a ten percent salary increase for education sector employees. SPCG received backing from several organisations within the Association of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro. The association “Educational Travellers” held a protest outside the Ministry of Education on 21st December, demanding that the state cover the costs of their transport to and from work. In November, a group of students staged their own protest, reiterating their demands for additional student housing and improvements to their current accommodation.
Protest to recognise civilian victims of war
At the end of December, there were protests in connection with a proposal to amend the Law on Veterans and Disability Protection which was criticised for the unequal treatment of civilian war victims, as certain categories would be excluded and the affected families denied the right to social support. Deputies from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) joined a protest organised by the Action for Human Rights (HRA) and the Association "Štrpci - Protiv Zaborava".
Additional peaceful protests also took place during the reporting period, including two protest walks in support of Ukraine. Furthermore, a group of activists and journalists staged a protest at a media literacy conference due to the presence of the editor of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)’s Montenegro desk, protesting what they claim is their wrongful labelling by BIRN in a map of individuals connected to far-right and extremist groups.
Freedom of expression
Appeal to effectively investigate and prosecute threats to journalists
A coalition of 19 NGOs has issued an appeal urging the State Prosecutor's Office, the Police Directorate, and the relevant courts to “urgently investigate, process, and adequately penalise in criminal proceedings” threats made against Ljubomir Filipović, a political analyst and columnist, and his family, which included death threats towards him and rape threats towards his child, as well as threats of violence directed at Jana Vlahović, a journalist and historian. Filipović and Vlahović received countless vulgar insults and threats on the social network X (formerly Twitter) due to their criticism of the broadcasting of a nationalist song with themes of Serbian irredentism during the appearance of the Serbian national team at the Davis Cup.
Misdemeanour proceedings against historian for critical column condemned
On 21st December, 22 NGOs appealed to the Acting Supreme State Prosecutor to review the decision by State Prosecutor Snežana Šišević to initiate misdemeanour proceedings against historian and Montenegrin language and literature professor Boban Batrićević, over a column he published on the Antena M portal. In October 2023, Prosecutor Šišević decided to pursue charges against Batrićević under a statute of the Public Order Act, which foresees a fine of up to EUR 1,500 or 60 days of imprisonment for those who publicly insult others based on, among other things, their religious affiliation. The historian’s column criticised two high officials of the Serbian Orthodox Church due to their xenophobic and nationalist statements, labelling them “preachers of hate.”
The appeal warned that the misdemeanour proceedings against Batrićević threaten freedom of expression and are tantamount to reintroducing the offence of “verbal delict” (which existed in the former Yugoslavia) into Montenegrin practice. The NGOs asked Begović to examine Šišević's decision in light of international standards and to order the suspension of the misdemeanour proceedings, noting that Batrićević's critique of the Serbian Orthodox Church leaders’ controversial views is protected by freedom of expression. The NGO 35mm also expressed concern over the assault on Batrićević's right to free expression and dignity, stating that freedom of expression is “threatened to the point of becoming a clerical dictatorship, enforced by an authority that should be impartial and prosecuting serious offenders instead.”
Civil society urges reform of public broadcaster
Following various criticisms from civil society concerning actions by Montenegro’s public broadcaster Radio and Television of Montenegro (RTCG)—including the violation of professional standards through the non-disclosure of information in the public interest and the appointment of an acting director in a session illegitimately closed to the public—a group of NGOs called for the withdrawal of the draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the National Public Broadcaster.
Media Center, the Media Institute of Montenegro, the Centre for Investigative Journalism, and the Association of Professional Journalists submitted an initiative to Prime Minister Spajić, requesting that the proposed law be withdrawn. They voiced concerns over the urgent amendment to the law, which impacts RTCG’s financial independence, and criticised the manner in which the amendment was proposed, citing potential adverse effects on the stability of the national broadcaster. The proposed removal of the budgetary percentage allocation for RTCG funding, they argue, contradicts EU directives that require predictable and sufficient financing for national public media services.
At a conference organised by the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM), it was suggested that “it is high time to establish frameworks to ensure the financial sustainability of the media system, address media ownership, and set regulations and standards,” as well as to promote stronger self-regulation within the media to improve reporting quality.