Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, participated in the annual seminar of European bodies for equality in Strasbourg, organized by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) on the topic of applying the concept of cross-discrimination in the protection of citizens from discrimination.

By looking at the whole picture and recognizing the intertwined effects of several personal characteristics of a person on their position, as well as by being familiar with the culture and attitudes of the community where discrimination occurs, we can successfully identify social subgroups that are exposed to multiple discrimination, and which are often not sufficiently visible to institutions, the Commissioner pointed out, and added that the Roma, poorer citizens, and people with disabilities are most often faced with cross and multiple discrimination. The Commissioner emphasized that the concept of cross-discrimination is successfully applied in Serbia, because we have a well-defined legal framework that recognizes multiple and cross-discrimination. Janković also highlighted the practice of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality to continuously organize trainings for employees in public authorities, the judiciary, the police, social and health care institutions, and other relevant institutions that decide on the protection of citizens’ rights.

The seminar was opened by Helena Daly, the EU Commissioner for Equality, and among the speakers were Tendayi Achiume, UN Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Intolerance, Petra Bair, PACE Rapporteur General for Combating Racism and Intolerance, as well as Maria Marouda, President of ECRI.