We invite Montenegrin authorities to ensure freedom of speech and respect of human rights of activists in civil society, and strongly condemn the smear campaign against Vanja Calovic, Executive Director of NGO MANS.
We remind institutions that they are responsible for the provision of full respect of human rights of the individual guaranteed by the international
conventions and Montenegrin Constitution, including cases when individuals criticize the corruption of the government.
Repeated smear campaign against Calovic does not a threat only to her organization, but also other civil society activists and individuals who dare to uncover corruption and organized crime. In the country which is in the process of joining the European Union, such campaigns must be strongly and effectively sanctioned by competent institutions because freedom of speech is one of the fundamental European values.
Ulrike Lunacek, Vice President of the European Parliament
Tanja Fajon, Member of the European Parliament
