The NGO UZOR organized a forum titled “Civic State with Incendiary Rhetoric”, held at the Hilton Hotel, with the aim of drawing attention to the widespread use of incendiary rhetoric and its devastating impact on society.
The forum was opened by UZOR’s Executive Director, Danko Jokanović, and SMART Balkans Program Manager, Dajana Cvijetković. Panelists addressing the issue included MP Aleksandra Vuković, MP Vasilije Čarapić, and sociologist Danilo Burzanović. Cvijetković emphasized that “discrimination has become normalized and violence acceptable, which reveals the visible wounds of a polarized society.” She pointed out that while the project had brought significant progress, it is necessary to return to core values and affirm citizens’ identities as they are.
MP Čarapić spoke about the need to harmonize legal norms and journalistic standards in the fight against hate speech. He highlighted the dual mentality of the state, where unresolved problems from the past still resonate today. He stressed that education—particularly civic education and the introduction of debates as elective subjects—is key to overcoming these challenges. He also warned that sanctioning hate speech can only be effective if there is broader societal consensus; otherwise, it risks deepening polarization.
Beyond politicians, other social actors also wield influence, but when politicians resort to incendiary rhetoric, institutions often remain silent—pointing to the need for effective mechanisms of response.
MP Vuković shared a personal example that sheds light on the deep issues within Montenegrin society, particularly patriarchal structures and an under-empowered judiciary. Her case, presented even in Brussels, illustrates the importance of the struggle for women’s rights and the inclusion of feminist perspectives in political processes. She underlined how social networks shape a new form of discourse that can lead to dangerous social and political consequences, including the normalization of violence. At the same time, she emphasized the responsibility of politicians, who are the primary spreaders of chauvinism and hatred, and the lack of adequate sanctions for such behavior, which could result in the repetition of tragic events from the past.
Jokanović underlined that hate speech is not a political skill, but a dangerous instrument that deepens divisions in society. He stressed that diversity should not be perceived as a threat, but rather that civic solidarity is the only effective response to incendiary rhetoric that undermines the very foundations of the community on a daily basis.
Ms. Cvijetković expressed hope that it is possible to live under better conditions and praised the achievements so far, which have been recognized as a step toward realizing the political goals of a civic state. She pointed out that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a textbook example of the destructiveness of incendiary rhetoric that can destroy a state. She noted that such rhetoric often becomes a political business model, given the lasting polarization of society, and that the war-mongering narratives of the 1990s have evolved into deeply entrenched nationalist divisions.
Researcher Danilo Burzanović warned about destructive narratives even among allegedly moderate politicians, particularly messages that deny the Montenegrin national identity. He cautioned that the repetition of such messages over time becomes normalized, further undermining social cohesion. He also proposed introducing a code of good communication, as well as the development of media literacy and critical thinking in the education system, since the current level of these skills—especially among young people—is alarmingly low.
The forum was organized as part of the project “Exemplary for a Stable and Secure Future”, implemented with the support of the Kingdom of Norway through the SMART Balkans initiative.
