Human Rights Action (HRA) declared today that, while the NATO intervention in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 contravened the United Nations (UN) Charter, it was warranted due to the horrific actions of the Serbian military and police against the Albanian population in Kosovo.

The non-governmental organization (NGO) emphasized that today marks the International Day for the Right to the Truth about Serious Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims, a date established by the UN General Assembly in 2010.

“This day serves as a reminder that addressing the past, recognizing the suffering of all victims of serious human rights abuses, and ensuring various forms of justice (including reparations) for them is essential for laying the groundwork for a democratic society rooted in the rule of law. This framework responsibly fosters a secure future where such atrocities are not repeated,” the statement noted.

HRA further remarked that Montenegro can only realize genuine democratic advancement by confronting its historical truths concerning severe human rights violations.

“Our governmental institutions must urgently assume responsibility for delivering justice to victims – from prosecuting war crimes to disclosing secret service archives and instituting laws concerning rehabilitation and compensation for victims of political repression. Absent these actions, society risks remaining ensnared in denial of past offenses and faces the threat of similar atrocities recurring in the future. The current world is fraught with violence and a scarcity of truth surrounding crimes, coupled with a lack of justice for the victims. Currently, over a hundred wars are being fought, both internationally and domestically. Mass human rights violations have become an alarming reality, with civilians being killed, injured, persecuted, and displaced,” the statement added.

The HRA reported that in Europe, the three-year Russian incursion into Ukraine has led to significant casualties – 12,605 civilians have perished, including 669 children, while 29,178 have been injured, including 1,854 children.

“Millions have had to flee their homes, with the economic and social ramifications expected to linger for an extended period. In the Middle East, the Hamas terrorist assault on October 7, 2023, in Israel, which claimed 1,200 mostly young lives and saw over 200 individuals kidnapped, has led to an escalation of conflict and a humanitarian disaster of unfathomable magnitude due to Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip.” As reported by the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 2,025 Palestinians have died as of February 48,348, including 13,319 children and 7,216 women. Additionally, 1.9 million individuals have been forcibly displaced. Hunger, disease, and death have become everyday horrors. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, along with Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, charging them with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite a temporary ceasefire in January 2025 providing a glimmer of hope, violence has regrettably intensified once more,” HRA stated.

They also pointed out that today marks 26 years since the NATO bombardment of the FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) commenced, resulting in the deaths of many innocent individuals of Serbian, Albanian, and other ethnic origins, as well as extensive damage to Serbia’s infrastructure.

“Though the NATO operation violated the UN Charter, it was deemed justifiable in light of the terror inflicted by the Serbian military and police upon the Albanian populace in Kosovo. The significant suffering experienced by civilians and the collateral damage during the bombing (such as attacks on the Belgrade Television building, the center of Niš, Aleksinac, and Murino in Montenegro) have largely gone unpunished, whereas the crimes in Kosovo have been somewhat acknowledged. The number of victims remains a contentious issue, primarily due to the absence of an official victims list. However, the Humanitarian Law Center, a dedicated NGO, has taken on this task, with their findings accessible here and not officially refuted,” HRA asserted.

The NGO stated that Montenegro has recognized the status of civilian victims through the Law on Veterans and Disability Protection after three decades, a development HRA considers a significant advancement.

“It is imperative for the Government to expediently adopt a decision on one-time compensation to rectify historical injustices and address the prolonged neglect in regulating the status of families of war victims. The quest for justice for war crime victims in Montenegro remains unattained, as these offenses have not been adequately prosecuted. We hope that the forthcoming Strategy for the Investigation of War Crimes will not merely serve as a facade for the lack of determination from the State Prosecutor’s Office, as was the case with prior efforts. Without justice, there can be no rule of law, nor lasting reconciliation within the region and a secure future,” HRA concluded.

They further asserted that, just as the status of civilian war victims has been acknowledged, there is a pressing need for the state to rectify injustices against victims of political persecution by enacting laws for the rehabilitation and compensation of prisoners from Goli Otok, Sveti Grgur, and other detention facilities.

“3,390 Montenegrins were imprisoned on Goli Otok, which accounts for over a fifth of the total prisoners and represents the highest proportion relative to the size of each Yugoslav republic’s population. Additionally, it is crucial to legally ensure the permanent declassification of files from the Informbiro era concerning ‘internal enemies’ and ‘internal extremists’. We urge the National Security Agency to finally disclose these archives to the State Archives. It is worth noting that, under the Law on Archival Activities, all state entities are required to submit their files to the State Archives of Montenegro 30 years post-closure, or 50 years for security service documents. Yet, the ANB has neglected this obligation. For instance, both the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Slovenia have made all state security service documents up to 1990 publicly accessible,” HRA informed.

This NGO emphasized that The right to the truth as articulated in the UN Resolution from 2005 is essential for victims and their families, empowering them to uncover the fates of the missing, the circumstances of the crimes, and the identities of the perpetrators.

“Gaining an understanding of past crimes is vital not only for recognizing the pain of victims but also as a safeguard against future atrocities,” HRA asserted.

They also noted that the International Day for the Right to the Truth about Serious Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims was established to honor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, the Archbishop of El Salvador, who was murdered while conducting Mass after denouncing widespread human rights abuses, killings, and torture during the civil war, as well as social injustice.

“No one has been held accountable for his assassination, yet the memory of his struggle for a more equitable society remains cherished to this day. Human Rights Action (HRA) pays homage to the human rights advocates who sacrificed their lives in this noble cause,” HRA stated.

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