by Damir Dibra
Summary
Damir Dibra, president of NGO “Ozdravimo Crnu Goru,” strongly criticized videos showing Montenegrin Army members singing songs linked to the Chetnik movement and glorifying Draža Mihailović. He argues that the army uniform is not a place for historical revisionism or ideological messages, as it undermines the state’s antifascist foundations, unity, and professional standards.
Dibra emphasizes that such incidents in official contexts send divisive messages, hurt victims’ families, and erode public trust. He calls on institutions to investigate and sanction any violations, stressing the army must remain neutral, above ideology, and a symbol of state unity for all citizens.
The president of the NGO “Let’s Heal Montenegro” and long-time civic activist Damir Dibra reacted sharply to the recordings that have appeared in public, in which, as he claims, individual members of the Montenegrin Army can be heard singing songs that are associated with the Chetnik movement and glorifying Draža Mihailović .
Dibra warns that such content, if authentic and created within the framework of military service, represents a serious institutional problem and a direct violation of the constitutional and civilizational values on which modern Montenegro is based.
– This is not a question of folklore, nor of private socializing, nor of misunderstood entertainment. This is a question of the state, its symbols and its historical identity. The Army of Montenegro, as the armed force of an anti-fascist state, must not be a space in which ideologies that are connected to crimes and divisions from the past are relativized or romanticized – stated Dibra.
He points out that it is particularly problematic that such content appears in the context of an institution that, by definition, should be a pillar of unity and professionalism, above all political, ideological and identity divisions in society.
“This sends a message that is deeply disturbing to some citizens”
Dibra claims that such incidents, as he calls them, cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader social and political context, and that they have the potential to further deepen distrust among citizens of different national and religious communities in Montenegro.
– When songs are heard in the uniform of the state that are associated with ideologies that have left deep wounds in history, this cannot be understood as a harmless act. It sends a message that disturbs and offends some citizens, especially those whose families have been victims of conflict and persecution throughout history – he stressed.
According to him, a particularly sensitive aspect is the fact that this is an institution that is supposed to guarantee the security and equality of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious affiliation.
“The army must be above ideologies, not their space”
In his reaction, Dibra emphasized that the Army of Montenegro must remain a strictly professional institution, which is beyond any form of ideological interpretation of history.
– The army is not and must not be a place for historical revisionism or political messages. It must be a symbol of state unity and professional discipline. Any deviation from this opens up room for doubt in the neutrality of the system’s institutions – he said.
He adds that a particularly high level of responsibility is expected from members of the military, precisely due to the fact that they wear the uniform of the state.
“A uniform is not a private matter. It carries the weight of a state, its constitution and its international reputation. When that uniform is associated with divisive content, it harms not only the institution, but also the entire society,” Dibra stressed.
Criticism of relativization and “dangerous justification”
Dibra specifically addressed possible attempts to justify such events or diminish their significance, warning against the practice of relativization which, he claims, further deepens social divisions.
– We can already expect those to appear who will say that it is ‘just a song’, that ‘there is no need to make a fuss’ or that it is ‘exaggerating’. But it is not just a song when it comes from a state institution and when it carries clear historical and emotional connotations for a large number of citizens – he said.
He adds that such an approach leads to the normalization of something that, in his opinion, should be clearly and unequivocally rejected in the public space.
Call for institutions to react
Dibra called on the competent institutions to investigate all the circumstances of the event and, as he stated, determine responsibility if there was a violation of military rules and ethical standards.
– This is not a matter of politics, but a matter of professional responsibility and respect for state institutions. If there is any violation of service rules, it must be clearly sanctioned – he said.
He believes that the lack of reaction would further undermine citizens’ trust in institutions and open the door for further similar incidents.
“Montenegro must remain the common home of all its citizens”
At the end of his response, Dibra said that Montenegro must remain a country in which all its peoples are respected and in which history is not used as a means of division.
– This country was built on the idea of living together. Anyone who tries to impose ideological narratives that divide people through institutions or symbols does not contribute to its stability – concluded Dibra.
He added that the NGO “Let’s Heal Montenegro” will continue to monitor such phenomena and to publicly react to, as he says, any attempt to violate the secular and anti-fascist character of the state.
Source
