During a two-day visit to Novi Pazar, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijević, met with the Mayor, representatives of the Bosniak National Council, the Islamic Community in Serbia, civil society organizations, and the media, with the aim of strengthening dialogue, protecting citizens from discrimination, and advancing equality.

The Commissioner emphasized that Novi Pazar is a city of particular importance, especially with regard to the realization of the rights of national minorities, which is why the regional office of the Commissioner’s institution is located in this city and was visited on this occasion. Antonijević discussed cooperation with the local self-government, issues of accessibility of public buildings, the position of minorities, the protection of the LGBTI+ community, and the need to establish a local ombudsman with the Mayor of Novi Pazar, Nihat Biševac.

The Commissioner welcomed the opening of the Europe House in the city, pointing to the importance of EU integration and the strengthening of equal opportunities policies. Antonijević also highlighted the need for additional support to civil society, which is an extremely important partner in identifying problems and pointing to possible solutions, as well as the importance of cooperation with the Judicial Academy and continuity in implementing trainings and capacity-building programs for employees in courts and prosecution offices.

“Our goal is to be much more present in the field, in order to better understand the concrete problems faced by citizens and, together with local actors, seek effective solutions. We want citizens to clearly recognize the competences of the Commissioner when it comes to discrimination based on personal characteristics, as well as to raise awareness of the importance of equality,” Antonijević stressed.

A special part of the visit was a meeting with the President of the Mashihat of the Islamic Community in Serbia, Sandžak Mufti Dr. Mevlud ef. Dudić, with whom he exchanged views on the protection of human rights, gender equality, and dialogue with religious communities, which play a significant role in respecting diversity and strengthening tolerance.

A constructive meeting was also held with Dr. Jasmina Curić, Vice-President of the Bosniak National Council, during which they discussed the realization of the right to equality of this national minority, as well as available mechanisms for the prevention and suppression of discrimination, particularly in the fields of education, culture, and information in the mother tongue, as well as the position of women and discrimination in the public and private sectors.

Antonijević also visited the editorial office of the Free Media portal, where he met with Editor-in-Chief Amela Ljajić Bajrović, a laureate of the Commissioner’s Media Award for Tolerance and this year’s recipient of the “Person of the Year 2025” award of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. “Without professional and strong local media, there can be neither informed citizens nor visibility of the problems they face, especially those who are more vulnerable,” the Commissioner emphasized, announcing visits to other cities and rural areas in order to hear the voices of those who are often on the margins of society.