Montenegro Faces EU Pressure Over War Criminal Glorification

Montenegrin non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activists recently received a response from the European Union Delegation in Montenegro. This response concerned public officials glorifying war criminal Ratko Mladić. The EU Delegation clearly stated that glorifying war criminals is unacceptable in both the European Union and countries seeking membership. Montenegro, as a candidate country, must respect international court rulings. It must also protect the dignity of victims and their families. The country must reject any glorification or downplaying of war crimes.

NGOs highlighted that this EU stance confirms their previous warnings. They argued that the Montenegrin government's reaction to Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić's condolence message to Ratko Mladić's son was not clear or strong enough. It did not meet the standards the EU sets for candidate countries. Prime Minister Milojko Spajić has not personally commented on the issue. His Europe Now Movement (PES) offered general statements about "leaving war rhetoric" and "choosing the future." It spoke of respecting international court judgments. However, PES avoided directly naming and condemning Mandić's specific action. NGOs believe this generalization from PES supports the Srebrenica genocide.

Activists strongly condemned a statement by PES MP Jelena Nedović. She said Montenegro respects Hague court judgments but also remembers victims in former Yugoslavia, mentioning Bratunac. NGOs called this an inappropriate comparison. They stated it tried to justify genocide against innocent civilians, which cannot be excused. This rhetoric from a ruling coalition MP is alarming. It suggests that genocide in Srebrenica is not always treated as a fact requiring clear condemnation in Montenegro's highest institutions.

The NGOs questioned how a party claiming to lead Montenegro's European path can promote EU values while refusing to condemn genocide and its perpetrators. They called on Prime Minister Spajić again. They urged him to personally and publicly condemn the glorification of Ratko Mladić and the Srebrenica genocide by public officials. He should also distance himself from Mandić's explanation that his act was just a "custom." Spajić must condemn MP Nedović's attempt to justify genocide and Mladić. Finally, he should withdraw political support from officials who glorify war criminals. Montenegro cannot seek EU progress while tolerating such silence from top state officials. The EU's message is clear; Montenegro's government must show it truly shares European values.