Advisor to Prime Minister Igor Luksic for fight against discrimination Dr. Jovan Kojicic recently founded the NGO "Justice in the Balkans - equality for sexual minorities", which is a government’s partner in organization Danilovgrad conference on the rights of sexual minorities. Leaders of Government and Kojicic have resorted to this solution to bridge the gap that exists for a long time between state authorities and civil sector, and to get some points from European Union, without a sincere commitment to improve the status of LGBT people.
This time, on the eve of today's conference, activists from over 40 NGOs dealing with human rights and the rights of LGBT people announced in late August that they would boycott, the third in a row, conference on the rights of sexual minorities in the last few years, this time organized under the title "Towards a Europe- towards equality.”
For this reason, "Justice in the Balkans - equality for sexual minorities," an informal organization that has worked for three years with Kojicic as a leading person, has been registered as an NGO in Podgorica on 9th August, a day after the media reported that the Prime Minister Luksic is getting adviser for combat against discrimination.
According to decision of establishment, in which "Vijesti" had direct insight, as founders are listed: Vesna Pejovic, Nina Redžepagić, Slobodanka Krivokapic, Milos Burzan and Slobodan Djurovic, while Kojicic’s name is nowhere. In that document, the only signed person is Djurovic.
NGO "Justice in the Balkans", as it is written in the document, was established to contribute to affirmation and protection of human rights of every person, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, as well as for organizing scientific conferences, seminars, training programs and similar activities.
Djurovic has signed a statement that he will represent and advocate non-governmental association "Justice in the Balkans," but also the decision that Pejovic will retake a job of the "principal of enforcement at the expense of the Association."
Djurovic, who is Kojicic’s student, yesterday has sent a letter to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) and Kojicic, in which he informed them that he is leaving "Justice in the Balkans” and that he doesn’t want to have any further legal and programme relationship with that organization.
He explained that the he initially accepted Kojicic’s proposal to be a founder of a new organization in the Montenegrin civil sector.
"At a meeting with Kojicic I signed the application for registration, Statute and Decision on the Establishment...I approached to these activities on the basis of available information and with the best intentions, believing that in this way, I will contribute to the development of a culture of human rights and the continuation of European integration" , said Djurovic.
Holding up to his own dignity and credibility, as well as respecting the basic values of democratic and legal behaviour, Djurovic has decided to leave "Justice in the Balkans” and notify the Ministry of Interior about his decision.
On the official website of the Government where you can find a draft of the conference, you can not find any statement which indicates that "Justice in the Balkans" is NGO, but the association referred as the government's partner in organizing international conference.
"Vijesti" have not managed to get in touch with Kojicic, because, as explained, he is busy preparing the conference, but all these information weren’t denied, just been told that the Government has not established her own NGO.
"The government has not established any NGO organization. Justice in the Balkans: equality for sexual minorities is registered in Montenegro and represents the continuity of very important and very well assessed, international project, because it has long been the intention of all, gathered inside the International Academic Conference ", was released from the Government.
It is also said that Kojicic officially became adviser to Prime Minister on 29th August, although several unofficial sources claimed that he worked from the beginning of August as a government clerk.
Our government is different from any other
The government yesterday explained that the conference, the third in the last few years, with the same subject matter, differs from the previous because it is organized by the Montenegrin Government.
"This is the first international conference on LGBT rights in the Balkans, organized by a government. We want to send a clear message that this government, in a quality manner and with the best expertise, accesses to the treatment of this issue. Our main goal is that in the presence of the largest international experts in this field, we talk openly about the issues and which are the good experiences from the international community and the region, which can help us in further steps." states the government.
It is confirmed that the program is the same, but that it has been created by international experts.
"So, the conference is not the same, because it includes an initial discussion and extensive training in the areas of law enforcement, judicial and human rights for judges, prosecutors, law enforcer, human rights defenders and civil society in Montenegro. The training will take place in the presence of regional and international leading experts." states the release from the Government.
When asked to explain the decision of Zdravko Cimbaljevic not to come to the conference in which the organizers on May gave him the award, the highest executive body stated that the director of The Forum Progress got the invitation.
"The answer to your question can only give you Cimbaljevic ... The Government regrets that the NGOs, some activists, including Cimbaljevic decided to boycott the conference. However, bearing in mind the concept of the conference we believe that we still have matched goals. However, we respect the democratic right of all, even Cimbaljevic that has disagreed with our actions and we believe that we will still, in the future, work together on these important issues" stated the people from the government.
