Citizens in Serbia File Discrimination Complaints over Political Beliefs

Milan Antonijevic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Addressing the country’s Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Serbian citizens most often reported discrimination based on age and disability, but also gender and political beliefs, says the 16th Regular Annual Report, the first submitted to Parliament by the new commissioner Milan Antonijevic.

During the past 12 months, the institution handled 4,151 cases, including 939 complaints, the Commissioner reported. Citizens most frequently reported discrimination based on age, health condition, income level and disability, but also on the grounds of gender, marital status, nationality, as well as political beliefs or membership of political and trade union organizations.

As for legal resources, the fight against discrimination also included three initiatives before the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality of regulations, the launch of two strategic lawsuits, and the filing of seven criminal complaints and one misdemeanor charge. A total of 837 recommendations were sent to public authorities and other entities to take action, while 16 initiatives to amend regulations were submitted and 20 opinions were issued on draft laws.

Due to the worrying frequency of discriminatory statements and hate speech, which also involved some public officials, the Commissioner reacted with a series of warnings and statements. Alongside the regular report, two key documents were submitted to Parliament in 2025 – a Special Report on Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities and a Special Report on Discrimination Against Women.

The documents indicate that even though some progress has been made, unresolved problems remain in the areas of social and health care, palliative care, access to education and general physical accessibility. “Still, it is encouraging that authorities complied with the Commissioner’s recommendations in 89.2 percent of cases, while the overall rate of compliance with all issued opinions stands at 85.1 percent,” the report says. Antonijevic underlined that the priorities of his office would include education, health care, labor and employment, and the protection of the rights of national minorities.