On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in the premises of the Metropolis in the Cetinje Monastery, His Eminence Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Eminence Joanikije, met with Ms. Caroline Tiso, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Montenegro, as well as Ms. Annette Lanting, the Human Rights Advisor at the United Nations Office in Montenegro.

The United Nations mission was interested in the Metropolitan's views and opinions on topics of common interest, including the fight against hate speech, strengthening social cohesion and opportunities for cooperation in the field of humanitarian action.

The Metropolitan presented the activities of the Metropolis to his interlocutors, highlighting the Church's contribution to strengthening democracy and equality in Montenegrin society, precisely through its evangelical and humanitarian mission. At the same time, the Metropolitan emphasized that the Church itself and believers are often the target of hate speech and are exposed to all kinds of discrimination by some social groups and individuals, citing several examples. He also expressed the expectation that the state will do even more to suppress all negative phenomena in society. He added that he believes that ethnic tensions and hate speech are often supported and inspired by certain political and criminal structures, and that they are not an expression of real hostility between different communities.

United Nations officials emphasized the importance of dialogue and the special responsibility of religious leaders in public action, given the fact that Montenegro is a multicultural and multiconfessional society. They also expressed their expectation that the capacities and position of institutions dealing with the protection of human rights will improve in the coming period, emphasizing in this regard the need to strengthen the institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms.

The Metropolitan concluded that, in times of unrest, injustice, conflicts and wars, it is necessary to join every call for peace, the establishment of justice and the realization of the human rights of all citizens.

From the Secretariat of the Metropolis of Montenegro and the Littoral