Podgorica, (MINA) – In recent years, some progress has been made in the prosecution of attacks on journalists, but as long as the most serious cases remain unresolved, there can be no talk of a fundamental break with the practice of impunity, the Media Trade Union of Montenegro (SMCG) said.

The SMCG told the MINA News Agency that proceedings in recent cases of attacks on journalists had been initiated and concluded more quickly and that Montenegro stood out in comparison to other countries in the region in terms of the number of cases that resulted in judicial outcomes.

“Nevertheless, we believe that there is still no reason to be satisfied, especially considering the unsolved cases from previous decades”, the SMCG said in an interview ahead of November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

Since the beginning of this year, the SMCG has registered 18 cases of attacks, threats and pressures against journalists and media workers in the SafeJournalists regional database, out of which, two have resulted in judicial epilogue, including one legally concluded procedure, while six cases are still before the police or the prosecution.

“However, we don’t only consider if proceedings have been initiated and concluded, but also if the imposed penalties were proportionate to the severity of the crime committed and served as a deterrent to potential attackers”, the Trade Union said, stressing that lenient sentences, even when proceedings are concluded relatively quickly, send the wrong message about society’s willingness to protect journalists.

“This was evident in the case of the attack on our colleagues Boris Pejovic, Stevo Vasiljevic and Balsa Rudovic in Gornje Zaostro”, the SMCG stated.

The SMCG said that it was particularly concerning that the most serious cases of attacks on journalists still remained unsolved, recalling that next May would mark 23 years since the murder of Dan daily editor-in-chief Dusko Jovanovic, and nine years since the attempted murder of investigative journalist Olivera Lakic.

“Precisely these cases show that progress in prosecution of recent attacks, however important, cannot compensate for the lack of justice for the most serious crimes against journalists. As long as such cases remain unsolved, we cannot speak of a fundamental break with the practice of impunity in Montenegro”, the SMCG stated.