No. 07-00-698/2015-02 Date: 24 May 2016

Opinion

The opinion was made during the proceeding acting upon complaint filed by organization “N.P.” from L, against S.N. party, i.e. Vice President of the City Council of this party in L, Mrs G.J. because of the statements given by Mrs J. on the press conference regarding a possible construction of an ifirmary for refugees in L, and which were published on 14 November 2015 on the Internet portal “Jugmedia.” During the proceeding it was determined that Mrs G.J., Vice President of the City Council of S.N. party in L, among others, stated: “A possible construction of an infirmary for refugees would be a real threat for the lives of all citizens of this city. There are terrorrists among them certainly. Even if such an attack would not occur, such a phenomenon would influence the already bad economic map of L. A lot of people in our city are unemployed, and refugees would represtent an even greater burden for our backs, which we would not be able to bear… Our attitude is completely clear- the construction of a wall towards Macedonia due to uncontrolled influx of migrants and a strict control of refugees. It would be better to build a wall which would prevent the influx of refugees now, than to build a Western wall like French.” It was determined in the proceeding that expressing of such an attitude represents an act of discrimination, beacues it offends the dignity of refugees, creates a degrading and offensive environment towards them, and contributes to spreading prejudices, bigotry and intolerance. Public authorities, as well as all the others who influence, by their work and authority, the creation of public opinion should be careful and should not support or encourage bigotry and intolerance by their acts. Therefore, the opinion was issued  that in the statements given by Vice President of the City Council of S.N.party in L., Mrs G.J. at the press conference, and which were published on 14 November 2015 on the Internet portal “Jugmedia,” expressed attitudes which are degrading and which offend the dignity of refugees. Vice President of the City Council of S.N. party in L. was given a recommendation to restrain herself from discriminatory acts and statements which offend the dignity and support prejudices towards refugees and create a degrading and offensive environment towards them, contributing to spreading of prejudices, bigotry and intolerance, and to contribute to increasing of tolerance towards refugees by her acts, as well as to be careful not to violate legal acts on non-discrimination within her regular jobs and activities.

Commissioner for the Protection of Equality

Brankica Janković

Complaint filed by organization N.P. against G.J. for discrimination of migrants