On the occasion of the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic emphasizes that the problem of racial discrimination stands as a great challenge for all modern societies which should be founded on the values of tolerance, equality and respect of human rights.

The fact that every second complaint on grounds of nationality, submitted to Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in 2017, was related to discrimination of Roma men and women indicates that the position of this national minority, whose numerous members are living in exclusion and poverty, is still difficult. Commissioner Jankovic stresses that all authorities have duty to undertake active policy measures for the employment, achieving of social and health services rights, improvement of residential condition and efficient inclusion of Roma children in the educational system, without segregation and discrimination.

Also, we point to worsened position, traumatic experiences and various barriers in achieving of human rights of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Commissioner stresses that education of young generation in the spirit of solidarity and equality plays the significant role in the process of overcoming prejudices and stereotypes, as well as in the combat against discrimination, by creating conditions for more efficient suppression of discrimination.