In cooperation with Austria and Slovenia, Serbia launched 18 month EU-funded programme, worth EUR1.2 million, to support advancement of human rights and fight discrimination.
At the event, which included presentation of Advancement of Human Rights and Zero Tolerance to Discrimination Project, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Serbia Oskar Benedikt said that in the past years, Serbia made great progress in fighting discrimination, but also pointed to the fact that this issue still existed not only in Serbia, but in EU Member States as well.
According to Benedikt, the EU stands ready to support Serbia’s efforts to advance human rights. “Over the next year and a half, our Austrian and Slovenian partners will help Serbia to implement the tolerance-strengthening programme,” said Benedikt and added that fighting discrimination required pain-staking and hard work and engagement of the whole society.
Director of Serbian Government Office for Human and Minority Rights Suzana Paunovic said that the programme against discrimination would be implemented in 20 Serbian Municipalities and engage National Minority Councils.
Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic said that within the programme, a public opinion survey would be conducted in Serbia, questioning citizens’ attitude towards discrimination, which would provide valuable insight into this issue.
She also said that she expected visibility of Commissioner’s job to increase at local level, thus leading to higher number of complaints and, finally, combating discrimination.
Austrian Ambassador Johannes Eigner said that his country’s engagement in human rights advancement programme in Serbia could be seen as Austrian Government’s support on Serbia’s EU path.
“When thinking about reaching European standards, these are the key areas to deal with,” said Eigner and stressed the importance of strengthening independent institutions in Serbia.
Chargé d’Affairs at the Embassy of Slovenia Mateja Norcic Stamcar said that Slovenian Government expected the human rights advancement programme to allow for further development of mutual cooperation.
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