(Podgorica, December 5. 2013.) – In accordance with the public statement by Ministry of Interior (MUP), MANS today, as a candidate for the Commission to monitor the conduct of the competent authorities in investigations of old and recent cases of threats and violence against journalists and their murders, suggested its legal counsel, lawyer Veselin Radulovic.
We believe that the Ministry of Interior very well knows that the MANS is non-governmental organization with the most experience in the investigations and processing of all types of crime, especially of those which are significant for lack of any actions, or failure to act on the side of the competent authorities and responsible individuals in those institutions, which was the main reason behind the decision to form this Commission.
Also, the area of freedom of expression and a violence of this basic human rights, particularly by the actions of state authorities, as well through absence of timely and lawful acts, represent the areas of the interest by MANS in the previous period.
Obviously in the cases of threats and violence against journalists responsible authorities did not react responsibly, because a significant number of these cases, hardest especially, remained unclarified. This practice is unacceptable and dangerous, because it encourages the belief of actors of those wrongdoings and others who are ready to follow their steps, that the State approves such violence and that the crimes like that will remain unpunished and unclarified in the future.
Also, unpunished attacks and violence against journalists could be an encouragement to expend violence against NGO sector as well, and also against any individual and group who would publicly speak or write in the same manner as those journalists did, who became victims.
MANS’s candidate, Veselin Radulovic, participated in most activities by MANS in the area associated with the work of the Commission, and additionally in the activities of others entities. Therefore, we are sure that the participation of MANS in this Commission through suggested candidate, would contribute to the Commission to accomplish the work and purpose for which it was formed.
Starting from mentioned and other references that MANS stated in the proposal of its candidate, we believe that MANS participation in work of the Commission is necessary, and we expect that MUP will recognize that, and through the election of member for the Commission recommended by MANS, will express will to support the Commission to accomplish the task for which will be formed.
MANS
