The Austrian Minister of Justice, Dr. Alma Zadic, visited the institution of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, and discussed with Commissioner Brankica Jankovic the necessity of respect for human rights, especially the right to equality as a fundamental principle of democracy. Both stressed that equality before the law is a precondition for the realization of all other human rights.

Jankovic acquainted the delegation from Austria with the most important activities of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, the mechanism of protection against discrimination and its prevalence in society. Social inequalities in all societies and at all levels are a specific problem that undermines the foundations of every democratic society, Jankovic and Zadic agreed.

The Commissioner and the Austrian Minister of Justice highlighted the necessity of preserving and enhancing trust in institutions. According to them, it is especially important to work on education, prevention, and the way of communication with young people, taking into account new communication channels. The contemporary digital age has contributed to the further undermining of trust in institutions and has given rise to different forms of human rights violations. It has created numerous challenges for many institutions in protecting the equality of all citizens.

The meeting was attended by the Austrian Ambassador to Serbia, Christian Ebner, Austria’s judicial attaché for Southeast Europe, Georg Stawa, and other representatives of the Austrian Ministry of Justice.