Montenegro’s national platform for suppressing VERLT, developed with support from OSCE Mission, presented in Podgorica

The Government of Montenegro presented its national platform for suppressing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) in Podgorica on 14 December 2018. It was developed by the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior and the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT) with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.

Entitled Together against Violent Extremism, the national platform is designed to provide a better understanding of the roots of violent extremism and the importance of an open dialogue in engaging all segments of society in the fight against violent extremism and radicalization.

Opening the conference, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, said that terrorism is a denial of democracy and of human rights, which are at the very core of the OSCE.

“The OSCE and its 57 participating States view terrorism as one of the most serious crimes. The organization is committed to combating terrorism through its holistic approach to security through multi-sectorial dialogue and co-operation. By supplying the tools and support that society needs, we hope to strengthen the  democratic values of individuals and of our communities,” said Daviet.

“The OSCE works with government officials, practitioners, researchers and civil society to develop strategies, policies and good practices to prevent and counter terrorist radicalization, while upholding human rights and the rule of law,” said Daviet.

Minister of the Interior Mevludin Nuhodžić stressed the need for engaging “society as a whole” and applying a comprehensive and integrated social response based on a partnership amongst state institutions, civil society organizations, religious communities, academia, local self-governments, citizens and the media.

“Our goal is clear: citizens should recognize and challenge extremist messages and content on the Internet.  Society as a whole must stand together to resist and reject all terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism,” said Minister Nuhodžić.

CDT Executive Director Dragan Koprivica said that the National Platform is a living document that includes the opinions of all social actors.  “From here we plan to establish thematic groups and move to organize activities to meet the goals set today,” said Koprivica.

Today’s conference gathered participants from the parliament, government, executive agencies, local self-governments, educational institutions, youth associations, NGOs, media, religious communities, and diplomatic corps, who expressed their views and ideas on how to prevent and neutralize violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.