The Center for Civic Education (CCE) from Montenegro and the Association for Social Research and Communications (UDIK) from Bosnia and Herzegovina support the decision of the Education Union of Montenegro (SPCG) to end its cooperation with the rehabilitation center “Vilina Vlas” in Višegrad and to remove it from the offerings of the tourist agency “Prosvjeta,” which was founded by the Union.
On Friday, CCE and UDIK sent an initiative to SPCG, requesting that this cooperation be ended and noting that there are many better options for rest and rehabilitation in Montenegro and the region. Providing affordable holidays, including payment in installments and free travel packages through the Education Union, is an important form of support for those employed in education.
The SPCG leadership, in a formal letter to CCE and UDIK and in a public statement on April 27, 2026, confirmed that they had cooperated with the spa resort in Višegrad because of its affordable prices compared to the Montenegrin market. However, CCE and UDIK believe that economic reasons cannot and should not take precedence over ethical standards.
We appreciate that SPCG recognized the seriousness of this issue, responded positively to our initiative, and as a result, terminated its cooperation with the “Vilina Vlas” spa resort this year.
The spa resort “Vilina Vlas” served as a concentration camp during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Around 200 Bosniak women were raped at this resort. This fact places a special responsibility on all institutions and organizations to consider both the symbolic and actual meaning of the spaces they choose for cooperation.
CCE and UDIK previously sent an initiative to the Fund for Pension and Disability Insurance of Montenegro (Fond PIO), requesting the termination of cooperation with the spa resort “Vilina Vlas.” This attracted significant media attention and interest in both countries. As a result, Fond PIO of Montenegro terminated that contract.
CCE and UDIK believe that ending cooperation between SPCG and the spa resort “Vilina Vlas” is an important step toward a more responsible relationship with the past and respect for the victims, as well as a reminder of the need to consistently implement ethical criteria in all institutional policies and programs.
UDIK and CCE call on other institutions and legal entities in both Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina that continue to offer “Vilina Vlas” for similar purposes to urgently terminate such contracts.
