The monument to the Swiss confirms the human right to memorialization

Member of the Civic Initiative "21. maj" and an independent councilor in the Assembly of the Capital City of Podgorica, Aleksandar Saša Zeković, said that erecting a memorial to the Zvicer family represents an important part of the process of dealing with the past and contributes to overcoming the negative legacy.
From the beginning of the annexation of Montenegro, members of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia and then the established gendarmerie of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes carried out massive and widespread repression of the civilian population. The perpetrators are serious and grave crimes, including murder and torture. What they (and) did to civilians is clearly a systemic violation of human rights. Members of the gendarmerie were not responsible for this and other crimes because they were carrying out the will of the state at that time - said Zeković.
According to him, the procedure of the authorities of the Capital of Cetinje to support the idea and approach to erecting a memorial to the Zvicer family confirms the principle that democratic institutions serve the needs of citizens and contribute to their better understanding and life.
Zeković congratulated Mayor Nikola Đurašković and all councilors of the Assembly of the Capital of Cetinje for respecting and uniquely supporting the proposal of the local community of Trešnjevo and the initiative of non-governmental organizations, civil groups and numerous citizens on memorializing history, victims and the specific locality.
The final erection of the memorial, with full and careful respect for all legal procedures, not only represents the acceptance of facts about the past, but it can also be a decisive contribution to reconciliation in Montenegro, preventing further divisions and political polarization and building new social relations - said Zeković.
M. J.