The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Milan Antonijević, met with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, as part of his visit to Serbia, with whom he discussed the situation in the field of human rights protection and the promotion of equality.

Among the main topics of discussion were freedom of speech, media freedoms, the right to freedom of assembly and the protection of civic space for action, particularly in light of pronounced social tensions and divisions. It was assessed that the rise of discriminatory narratives, as well as various forms of pressure on journalists and civil society, are particularly concerning. The Commissioner emphasized that the practice of the institution over the past two years also shows that discrimination based on political affiliation is on the rise.

Antonijević and O’Flaherty agreed that free, responsible and professional media are one of the key pillars of a democratic society and a very important ally in the fight against discrimination, as well as that without freedom of speech, assembly and free media there is no free society.

In the conversation, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of many years of successful cooperation with the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, while Commissioner O’Flaherty expressed support for the institution’s efforts to ensure full respect for human rights and equality of all citizens.