Equality Coalition: Abazović to stop labeling NGOs and refrain from statements that do not suit his function

The Coalition for the Rights of LGBTIQ+ Persons Equally, within which 37 non-governmental organizations and institutions cooperate, strongly condemns the attack by the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Dritan Abazović, on the Parents Association and expresses full support for this organization.
They pointed out that the Association of Parents has been dedicated to improving the position of parents and children in Montenegro for years, which, they said, is evidenced by the concrete results of their work.
It is inadmissible for the Prime Minister to use untrue accusations in order to destroy the reputation of non-governmental organizations that criticize the Government's decisions with arguments that are not in the interest of children and their education - underscored the Coalition for Equality.
They assessed that organizations and activists of civil society in Montenegro are under attack from certain politicians from the government and from the opposition, as well as political movements in the making, at every opportunity when they express disagreement with their public actions or lack of action.
The methods are always the same - baseless accusations that "unsuitable" organizations belong to the opposing political structure, foreign interest groups, mercenaries, etc. - said the Coalition.
They say that the continuity of this practice is worrying, especially considering that they come from the position of power held by the prime minister.
We remind the Prime Minister that the non-governmental sector should be a strong control mechanism of the government - whoever is doing it, and what are the expectations of citizens, as indicated by relevant public opinion surveys. The democratic capacity or the lack of that capacity of decision-makers is measured, among other things, by the attitude towards the critically oriented NGO sector - they pointed out in this Coalition.
They said that they will continue to exercise their control role and to point out harmful decisions that violate the interests of the citizens of Montenegro, especially the interests of vulnerable groups, among whom are certainly children.
The Coalition for the Rights of LGBTIQ+ Persons Equally calls on the Prime Minister to refrain from statements that do not befit the function he performs, to stop labeling NGOs that do their work and to demonstrate responsibility by creating a favorable environment for the work of non-governmental organizations. There is no functional democracy in a society where non-governmental organizations cannot express their critical position without fear of attack - they concluded in the announcement.
The coalition consists equally of Spektra Association, Action for Human Rights, Center for Civic Education (CGO), Center for Women's Rights, Montenegrin Network for Harm Reduction LINK, Union of High School Students of Montenegro, Montenegrin Women's Lobby, Stan Association, Center for Women's and Peace Education - ANIMA, Center for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEM), Center for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), Juventas, Center for the Affirmation of the RE Population, NGO Prima, Montenegrin LGBTIQ Association Kvir Montenegro, Center for the Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO) and the Alternative Institute.
M. J.