Honoring the innocent victims is a moral and civilizational duty for all citizens and institutions of Montenegro, stated Damir Gutić, Minister of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography, today.

The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography reported that Gutić made these remarks in Herceg Novi, where they commemorated the “33rd anniversary of the war crime involving the deportation of Muslims and Bosniaks from Montenegro, one of the most tragic incidents in the region’s recent history.”

“This date serves as a reminder that crimes must neither be forgotten nor overlooked. It is our collective responsibility to foster a culture of remembrance and to continue advocating for justice and dignity for every victim,” Gutić emphasized.

In memory of all those who lost their lives during the deportation in 1992—when citizens of Bosniak and Muslim backgrounds were unlawfully detained and surrendered to forces of the Army of Republika Srpska, many of whom were later killed—the Ministry held a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial.

“The commemoration was attended by victims’ families, representatives from the non-governmental sector, religious communities, and numerous citizens. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Family Care and Demography extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and urges all social actors to work together towards creating a more just, open, and accountable society where all citizens are treated equally under the law. In this context, amendments to the Law on Veterans and Disability Protection have for the first time acknowledged civilian victims of war as a specific category, allowing families of deportation victims to access their legal rights,” the statement noted.

The Ministry further mentioned that the Government of Montenegro, as an additional gesture of institutional care and respect, has provided one-time financial assistance to families of deportation victims who are still residing in Montenegro.

News