The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, attended the publication of the annual report of the organization To Be Known! (Da se zna!), presented within Pride Week, on incidents motivated by hatred against LGBTI+ persons. The 2024 report records a total of 105 reported incidents, including 16 physical assaults. According to the data, as many as 80% of the cases remained outside the reach of the police, prosecution, and courts.

On the occasion of the report’s presentation, the Commissioner participated in a panel where she spoke about the work of the Commissioner’s institution and its efforts to be recognized as a trusted address for all citizens whose right to dignity and equality is denied through discrimination.

She stated that during the previous year the institution received 20 complaints on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, most frequently in the fields of healthcare, employment, and service provision. In some cases, discrimination was established, both through hate speech in the public sphere and through the denial of services in hospitality establishments.

The Commissioner also repeatedly reacted publicly with warnings regarding police violence against members of the community, attacks on the Pride Info Center, and similar incidents. Recommendations were also sent to the competent authorities with the aim of improving the position of LGBTI+ persons, such as ensuring the availability of medication for trans persons and adapting educational documents after a change of gender marker.

Janković noted that it is clear the number of complaints does not reflect the real situation, since many members of the LGBTI+ community still choose not to turn to the institution. That is why we continue to encourage them, but also to insist on the accountability of institutions and the implementation of the law, concluded Commissioner Janković.