Human Rights Ombudsman Urges Pljevlja Mayor to Remove Offensive Post

The Human Rights Ombudsman has recommended that Dario Vranes, the mayor of Pljevlja, remove an offensive post from his Instagram account. This post, made in early December 2022, referenced comments by Milka Tadic Mijovic, the Executive Director of the Center for Investigative Journalism, regarding Vranes’s nationalistic remarks. The Ombudsman’s office has emphasized the need for public figures to refrain from comments that promote discrimination, particularly against women.

In the controversial post, Vranes quoted the renowned poet Njegos, adding several smiley emojis, and wrote: “Kazuj, babo, jesi li vještica? Jesam kneže, nije fajde kriti.” This statement, which translates to a derogatory question about being a witch, has been interpreted as an attack on Tadic Mijovic’s critical stance on his political actions.

The Ombudsman has formally advised Vranes to avoid publishing statements that can perpetuate stereotypes and discrimination based on gender, age, or any other personal characteristics. According to a document reviewed by the news outlet Vijesti, Vranes is required to submit a report on actions taken to comply with this recommendation within 30 days.

Milka Tadic Mijovic has previously stated her expectations regarding Vranes’s behavior, suggesting that he embodies “everything that is not a civic and free antifascist Montenegro.” She condemned his glorification of historical figures associated with Serbian nationalism and accused him of failing to acknowledge the implications of such a stance.

The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Pljevlja has taken action by filing a request for a misdemeanor procedure against Vranes due to his comments directed at Tadic Mijovic. The Ombudsman, in a statement signed by Deputy Ombudsman Nerma Dobardzic, noted that Vranes’s post was a reaction to Tadic Mijovic’s critique of his actions and should be evaluated in light of both its content and the broader context in which it was expressed.

The document highlights that utilizing language that describes a woman as a “witch” carries significant implications, particularly within a contemporary social context. Such imagery, combined with the derogatory framing of older women, contradicts principles of equality and contributes to ageism and sexism.

The Ombudsman pointed out that Vranes’s message does not merely represent a political critique but serves to reproduce gender and age stereotypes. This can discourage not only Tadic Mijovic but also other women and older individuals from participating in public discourse.

While Vranes has claimed that he did not intend to offend anyone and respects all women regardless of personal attributes, the Ombudsman clarified that intent is not a relevant factor when determining discrimination. The emphasis lies on the objective impact and the public message conveyed, rather than the subjective intentions of the author.

In conclusion, the Ombudsman reiterated that freedom of expression does not include the right to use expressions that are unnecessary for political debate and can lead to violations of dignity or create a hostile environment based on gender or age. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges surrounding gender discrimination in political discourse in Montenegro.