Government of Montenegro strongly condemns hate speech against LGBT population and other vulnerable groups

Podgorica, Montenegro (23 July 2013) -- Government of Montenegro strongly condemns hate speech against LGBT population and other vulnerable groups, as well as the publication of such speeches. In particular, it condemns the publication of obituaries, which is an expression of a lack of democratic capacities of those individuals who stand behind these messages, and who are, even now in the 21th century, ready to send threatening messages to those who are in any way different from them. The Government is convinced that Montenegro has democratic capacity to protect human rights of all citizens regardless of their differences and any other personal characteristics.

Respect for diversity and tolerance towards different beliefs are dominant multi-ethnic and multi-cultural values of the Montenegrin society. The Government is committed to guaranteeing respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, right to freedom of expression, and is determined to fight against discrimination at all levels, promoting democratic standards the European Union and Montenegro’s efforts towards European integration are based on, the Government Public Relations Bureau’s press release announced earlier today.