Efficient, pluralistic and independent national institutions are among the most important pillars of any democratic society, because they represent a signpost for improving the situation in the areas of equality and protection of human rights, said Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic at the conference marking the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade.

Congratulating the Head of the Office of the Council of Europe Tobias Flessenkemper,  Commissioner thanked the CoE for its support to the institution of Commissioner and expressed her desire to “extend and intensify the continuous and dedicated work on promoting and preserving European values ​​to which the Republic of Serbia is truly committed”.

Jankovic pointed out that Commissioner for the Protection of Equality continuously and consistently encourages changes in society that are aimed at respecting human rights and intensively promotes the principle of equality, as one of the fundamental values ​​of every democratic European state. Commissioner added that the Recommendations of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on the development and strengthening of efficient, pluralistic and independent national human rights institutions were of great importance for the work of the institution.

The celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, entitled “Promotion of Diversity and Equality in Serbia”, was jointly organized by the CoE Office and the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, with the support of the National Assembly of Serbia and the German Embassy. This event also marked the end of the German chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.