Velija Murić, lawyer and executive director of the Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights (CKP), declared today that the recent targeting of Tea Gorjanc Prelević, the executive director of Human Rights Action (HRA), along with lawyer Veselin Radulović, is not merely a personal attack but an assault on a free society.

“As members of the Montenegrin Committee of Lawyers for the Protection of Human Rights (CKP), a NGO devoted to upholding human rights, the rule of law, and Montenegro’s constitutional order, we feel compelled to address the unacceptable attacks, targeting, and political pressure faced by the HRA, its executive director Tea Gorjanc Prelević, and lawyer Veselin Radulović in recent days,” Murić stated.

He emphasized that both Tea Gorjanc Prelević and the HRA have consistently demonstrated expertise, impartiality, and commitment to the advocacy of human rights, rule of law, and an independent judiciary over the years.

“Their efforts have garnered acknowledgment not just within Montenegro but also from significant European institutions. Their public disclosure of illegal and opaque practices within the security and justice sectors, including the so-called ‘vetting’ of police staff by the Democratic Montenegro political party, exemplifies what civil society organizations should strive for in a democratic context—critical oversight of governmental actions. Yet, we are witnessing orchestrated backlash from some representatives of the Democrats, including high-ranking political figures, which extends beyond political dialogue into personal attacks, threats, and attempts to delegitimize not just these individuals, but the entire civil society sector. Such conduct is not only unacceptable but perilous, as it jeopardizes a fundamental pillar of democracy—the freedom of expression and operation of organizations committed to upholding democratic order,” Murić remarked.

He continued, “It is especially concerning that actions occurring within the security sector, governed by the leader of the Democrats, Aleksa Bečić, resemble vetting practices that lack a clear legislative framework, judicial or disciplinary protocols, the right to a defense, and most alarmingly, institutional oversight.”

“In these behaviors, we detect grave indications of not only an abuse of power but also a political party’s encroachment on state authority, which could lead to the disintegration of Montenegro’s constitutional system. The silence from the remaining ruling majority regarding such actions signifies complicity. A democratic society is not built on the dominance of the majority but on the safeguarding of minority rights, the freedom to criticize, and the oversight of authority. If such oversight is absent—or worse, if there is an endeavor to suppress it—we find ourselves confronting trends that cannot be disregarded. In this context, we offer our complete and unequivocal support for Tea Gorjanc Prelević, lawyer Radulović, and all civil society participants who steadfastly advocate for the rule of law and the constitutional framework. Their struggle is our struggle. Targeting them is more than a personal attack—it is a direct assault on a free society,” Murić stated.

He urged, “We call upon all relevant institutions, as well as the citizens of Montenegro, to acknowledge the peril in this trend and to publicly, openly, and firmly defend the fundamental principles of constitutional order, human rights, and freedom of expression.”

“In an era where silence seems the easiest option, we choose to raise our voices—clear, responsible, and reasoned,” added Murić.

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