Brussels, 18/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 13 February, the EU Delegation to Montenegro strongly condemned the torching of a vehicle belonging to the daily newspaper Vijesti during the night of 12-13 February “The European Commission expresses concerns over the fact that in recent months attacks on journalists and media property have increased in Montenegro, and calls upon the relevant state authorities to urgently investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of last night's torching and of all crimes against freedom of the media in Montenegro”, said the delegation in a press release. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle asked on Twitter “how many statements and tweets it takes till it stops and media situation improves”.
The press release recalled that Montenegro opened Chapter 23 of the accession negotiations on 18 December 2013 - a chapter which deals with the judiciary and fundamental rights, “including freedom of media and journalists”. “In this context, the EU expects Montenegrin authorities to take decisive actions to establish a solid track-record in safeguarding freedom of expression and media in Montenegro”, the delegation added, underlining that the European Commission will continue to monitor the respect of “all human rights”.
The EU delegation welcomed, however, the establishment of a commission for the monitoring of investigation of attacks on journalists, expecting that the work of the commission will lead to “tangible results”.
This is the fifth attack on a Vijesti car since July 2011 and no case has been resolved. In December 2013, an explosive device went off under the window of the editor, while in November, the journalists' room was “stoned”, and in August, an explosive device went off in front of a journalist's home. Three of the newspaper's members have also been attacked. (CG/transl.fl)