The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, met with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Kairat Abdrakhmanov. The Commissioner and the High Commissioner discussed the anti-discrimination legal framework, discrimination based on nationality, and opportunities for improving the equality of national minorities.

Janković pointed out that, when it comes to nationality, complaints are most often filed by Roma, and in a significantly smaller number by members of Bosniak, Croatian, Albanian, and other national minorities. She said that the Commissioner participates in numerous projects, and organizes educational programs, research, and other activities aimed at improving the position of national minorities. Also, the Commissioner mentioned good cooperation with national councils of national minorities, ministries, local self-government representatives, and civil society organizations. Janković particularly pointed out the work of the office of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in Novi Pazar, which enables residents of this part of the country to have easier access to the institution. In addition, the Commissioner emphasized that regional cooperation is extremely important and pointed out the commitment of the Commissioner to the network of institutions from the region dealing with the protection of equality, which was formed in 2015 in Belgrade.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov very positively assessed the normative framework of Serbia in the area of ​​protection and realization of the rights of national minorities, as well as the degree of implementation of regulations. He supported the work of the Institution and emphasized the importance of the successful multi-year cooperation between the OSCE and the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, especially in the field of media, the fight against hate speech, and the suppression of other forms of discrimination. Abdrakhmanov and Janković agreed that the Annual Media Award for Tolerance, which is jointly awarded by the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the OSCE Mission to Serbia for the eighth year in a row, is an example of the promotion of tolerance and respect for diversity.