Offensive and discriminatory comments that are becoming increasingly brutal by the day and escalating into hate speech on social media, targeting candidates for the new Commissioner for the Protection of Equality as well as members of the new REM composition, are entirely inappropriate and must be condemned. I appeal to everyone to stop using such language that humiliates and insults individuals based on their actual or presumed personal characteristics defined by the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, stated the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković.

Reasoned criticism, scrutiny, and asking questions are legitimate and welcome, especially regarding matters of public interest. However, accusing someone of being a foreign agent or connecting a person’s work and actions with their origin, gender, sexual orientation, national affiliation, political or other beliefs is unacceptable and prohibited by law.

Reducing public discourse to personal characteristics negates the very principles of equality, Janković concluded.