Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic met with Dalibor Nakic, president of the National Council of the Roma National Minority, to discuss cooperation and activities aimed at improving the position of Roma in Serbia, as well as the Council’s efforts to combat and protect against Roma discrimination.

Jankovic and Nakic stated that, although a visible progress has been made in the previous period, members of the Roma community still face numerous obstacles that prevent them from becoming more involved in all areas of society, from education and employment to wider integration into the community. Commissioner pointed out that stepping out of the vicious circle of discrimination and poverty is possible only if the Roma perspective is included in decision-making processes, in which the National Council of the Roma National Minority has a very important role, as an organization entrusted by law with certain public powers to participate in decision-making.  Referring to the recent events in the Roma settlement, Commissioner expressed the expectation that the recommendation sent to the competent bodies of local and city self-government will be implemented as soon as possible.