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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Respect for human rights foundation of every government

Belgrade, 10 December 2008

Minister for Human and Minority Rights Svetozar Ciplic today stated that Serbia is extremely aware of the importance of human rights and intends to guarantee and respect them, adding that this depends on both the state and its citizens.

At the celebration in Belgrade of Human Rights Day and 60 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms, Ciplic said that in the past eight years Serbia has made large steps forward, but added that this is unfortunately still insufficient, as the best picture of the state of human rights in Serbia can be seen in the courts, that is, institutions which are here to protect these rights.

The state must reform and realise that it is up to it to protect human rights, stressed the Minister, adding that the principles of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Freedoms must be respected on a daily basis and be the guiding idea for every government.

He said that the bill against discrimination, bills on national councils of national minorities and the procedure of recognising legal subjectivity are completed and will be sent to parliament soon.

Chief of UNHCR mission to Serbia Lenart Kotsalainen said that there has been considerable progress in the area of human rights protection in Serbia.

As for the Roma population, Serbia is not much different from other countries in the region, he said.

The government, the civilian sector and international community are obliged to help solve the everyday problems of the most endangered groups, he said.

Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Josep Lloveras said that despite progress over the past 60 years, there have been difficult moments in the past which remind us that the fight for human rights must be ongoing and must involve the whole of society, both the civilian sector and government.

The event is organised on the occasion of Human Rights Day and 60 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Representatives of the UN, European Commision, Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and citizens called on people to improve the position of the Roma, disabled persons, women, children and persons living with HIV.