LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey
ERA strongly condemns the violent attack against the Juventas LGBTIQ Center in Podgorica and calls on the authorities to timely prosecute the perpetrators of this LGBTIQ-phobic hate crime.
We applaud the fast response by the police in identifying the attackers, and we call on the prosecution to conduct a high-quality investigation and prompt prosecution.
Hate crimes are usually not isolated cases. This incident is one of many that happened in 2022. We are worried about witnessing increased harassment happening to people working in the LGBTIQ Center in the days before this violent attack. The lack of legal resolutions of hate crimes enforces the culture of impunity and increases the risk of violence for LGBTIQ+ people.
In these times of uncertainty, we are inspired and grateful to see the great support our communities receive from a part of the general public and international stakeholders in Montenegro. We stand by them in our solidarity and support for the LGBTIQ Center, a key community place for LGBTIQ organising, supporting and development in Montenegro for over a decade.
We condemn all forms of discrimination, violence, and ill-treatment against our community and call on the institutions for prompt response in prosecuting perpetrators. Justice and equality must prevail for all people.
In solidarity with our communities in Montenegro!
ERA – LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey