Podgorica, 11 January 2016 – Stevan Milivojevic, Executive Director of “LGBT Forum Progress” was attacked by two unidentified young men near the capital’s railway station. Milivojevic who is also a member of the governments’ Council for Protection against Discrimination and one of the few outspoken LGBTI activists in the country said that the motivation of the attack was his activism and direct involvement in LGBTI rights in the country.
The two men approached the activist in the early afternoon as he was walking near the railway station. They started insulting him and then physically attacked him, grabbing him by the neck and punching him before running away. The incident was immediately reported by Milivojevic to the police with whom communication is ongoing.
In his report to the Police, Milivojevic stated that the motive of the attack was his activism in the field of human rights and his sexual orientation. For longer period, he points out, there were no attacs and he has been feeling safe.
On December 13th Podgorica hosted its third LGBT Pride amid tightened security and close cooperation with the police. Meanwhile the Montenegrin government and Parliament have taken a more proactive approach towards the protection of LGBTI rights including an increased cooperation with neighboring countries and LGBTI organizations from the region. However, while engagement has increased, social perceptions and the daily reality of LGBTI people remains challenged by long-held prejudices and homophobia.
ERA calls on the Montenegrin authorities to properly investigate this open case of hate crime and homophobia and bring the perpetrators in front of justice.
Amarildo Fecanji, Executive co-Director of ERA said that: “the fact that the attackers were two young men shows that despite recent advances, a lot remains to be done in the areas of education and awareness rising. Informing and involving youth, teachers, psychologists and the entire education system in the combat against discrimination as well as the causes and effects of homophobia and transphobia are among the steps that need to be taken in order for social perceptions and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people to change and improve.”