Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro condemns assault against journalist
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Janina Hrebickova, strongly condemned the violent physical assault on Friday evening against Lidija Nikcevic, a journalist of the Dan newspaper.
Ambassador Hrebickova stated: "The brutal nature of this assault against a woman journalist raises serious concerns, and deserves the utmost condemnation. This is the latest attack on an individual journalist and is similar to the physical assault on the woman journalist Olivera Lakic in March 2011. Such targeted violence and intimidation towards journalists and media outlets in Montenegro is an unacceptable violation of the freedom of the press and has no place in a modern democratic society. Attacks on journalists represent attacks against society as a whole. I urge the Governement of Montenegro and its institutions to fulfil their professional responsibilities in conducting a swift, efficient and thorough investigation to ensure the apprehension and prosecution of those involved in carrying out this attack."
The OSCE Mission closely monitors the freedom of the press in Montenegro. Montenegro has made commitments regarding the freedom of the press as an OSCE participating State.