DPM Aleksić meets with human rights activist Aleksandar Saša Zeković

Deputy Prime Minister for Education, Science and Relations with Religious Communities Budimir Aleksić held a meeting today with Aleksandar Saša Zeković, human rights activist and member of the Civic Initiative “21st May”, to discuss the ongoing efforts and outcomes of Montenegro's process of confronting the country’s difficult legacy from the past.

The meeting is part of the Deputy Prime Minister’s ongoing dialogue initiative on key social and political issues, with human rights and freedoms at the center of its focus. Given that human rights are a fundamental value of the European Union, inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders on these matters represents a key component of the Government of Montenegro’s engagement and action.

At the outset, the participants observed a moment of silence in honor of the civilians—among them three children—who lost their lives 26 years ago during the NATO bombing of the bridge in Murino.

Both parties welcomed the current Government's actions in securing justice for victims of human rights violations, including the acknowledgment of state responsibility, the awarding of compensation, and the implementation of meaningful memorialization efforts.

Notably, the victims of the Murino bombing and their families have now officially been granted the status of civilian war victims. The Government of Montenegro has also adopted a decision to award one-time financial compensation to the families of the Murino victims, as well as to the victims of the deportation of refugees and the abduction of passengers from the train in Štrpci.

The consistent contribution of civil society organizations and human rights defenders to the development of an open, rule-of-law-based society was also acknowledged. Special recognition was given to the Human Rights Action (HRA) and other NGOs that have, with professional integrity and for decades, shed light on the state of human rights in Montenegro. The participants expressed support for the HRA’s call for accountability from those who were responsible for failing to warn the citizens of Murino about the imminent danger of the bombing.

It was jointly noted that public awareness of historical truths and facts remains low in Montenegro, which continues to hinder constructive dialogue, deepen polarization, and prevent more tangible results. This also pertains to the period of the Socialist Revolution from 1941 to 1945 and the post-war years, during which many innocent civilians—primarily for ideological reasons—lost their lives and still await recognition and a dignified response from the state regarding their remains.

Mr. Zeković informed Deputy Prime Minister Aleksić that criminal complaints for war crimes have been submitted to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office concerning individual crimes committed by certain partisan units in Nikšić, Bar, and Cetinje. In addition, initiatives for memorialization have been submitted to the local governments of Bar and the Old Royal Capital Cetinje. These efforts are supported by Montenegrin, Albanian, and Serbian intellectuals and activists, as well as by national minority councils in Montenegro.