Discrimination of persons who live with HIV and AIDS is still present in Serbia, while the latest survey about attitude of media to discrimination, conducted by Commissioner, revealed that social distance toward these citizens is still existing, said Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic on the occasion of 1 December, World AIDS Day.

Persons who live with HIV / AIDS in Serbia are exposed to discriminatory acting in different areas of social life, from reactions in their family and environment to work and employment sphere, said Jankovic. She assessed that due to the findings of repeated situational testing, it can be said that there is a slight shift because it has been observed that a discriminatory attitude towards people living with HIV / AIDS has been reduced. There is a need for constant education of health and social workers and all citizens, with an emphasis on young people, stressed Commissioner.

It is necessary to take all available measures to provide members of this vulnerable social group with equal rights to health and social protection, education, employment and dignified life. We must not allow that these persons live in fear, rejected by the environment, because of ignorance and insufficient information, concludes Commissioner Jankovic.