The Council of Europe is organising a panel discussion on ‘Responding to hate speech and hate crime in Montenegro: what the role of institutions is, and why civil society matters’, taking place online on 18 December, with simultaneous interpretation in English/Montenegrin (technical details below, and in the agenda). This event is organised under the project on promotion of equality and diversity in Montenegro, within the framework of the joint EU and CoE regional programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey.

Speakers include:

• Ms Božena Jelušić MP, Parliament of Montenegro, Civic Movement URA
• Ms Nerma Dobardžić, Deputy Ombudsperson of Montenegro
• Ms Evgenia Giakoumopoulou, Head of Operations, Council of Europe
• Ms Blanka Radošević Marović, Director General, Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights

The discussion will be the opportunity to present the findings and recommendations of the Council of Europe experts, with a view to further steer reforms to combat hate in the country, but also to foster civil society participation, as well as to raise awareness among citizens. Combating hate, off line and on-line, is a growing challenge across Europe, and one that concerns the Western Balkans region as well. Hatred incidents call for a strong institutional responses, but also for an amplified civil society voice. Hate divides societies, undermining their cohesion. The discussion aims at sharing Council of Europe expertise and tools, in the framework of our cooperation activities in Montenegro.

To register, pls send an email to [email protected]. Zoom details at https://zoom.us/j/92747538337?pwd=a0EvdS9FWHowNG5salBma0tGcmJHZz09 (code927 4753 8337, log-in 498268)

Agenda English Montenegrin