On the occasion of the upcoming election campaign, Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic calls on all participants in the election process, including the media, to respect the laws and provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and show tolerance towards political opponents.

Commissioner emphasizes the importance of respecting the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, which prohibits hate speech, inciting national, religious and any other intolerance, as well as offensive, harassing and humiliating behavior and spreading stereotypes and prejudices towards any social group.

Equal treatment and equality are general minimum standards of conduct and their violation cannot be justified as an expression of personal opinion, or even as a concern for human rights, stresses Jankovic.

Commissioner reminds that the prohibition of discrimination and the pursuit of essential equality are the cornerstones of all democratic states, and election campaigns are a key test on which the real commitment to these values ​​is verified.

Political parties, candidates, but also the media and journalists, must refrain in their programs, campaigns and reporting from the use of discriminatory language, hate speech, disparagement, as well as the expression or support of ideas that are degrading to groups of persons based on their nationality, ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation and other personal characteristics, says Commissioner.