No: 021-01-622/2020-02        Date: 18.12.2020

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Ivica Dačić, Speaker

11000 BELGRADE

Nikola Pašić Square no.13

Dear Mr. Dačić,

In accordance with our competencies to monitor the implementation of laws concerning the prohibition of discrimination and recommend measures to achieve equality, we take this opportunity to point out that it would be of special importance that future amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly ensure compliance with the constitutionally and legally proclaimed principle of prohibition of discrimination, and introduce disciplinary liability for non-compliance. Given that the Code of Conduct for MPs has not yet been adopted, we recommend considering the possibility of integrating this principle into the text of the Code, because the protection of human and minority rights, to which MPs commit, means not only opposing anyone who violates human rights or advocates any kind of discrimination, hate speech and incitement to violence, but also awareness of the danger of discrimination that they might spread in their public appearances inside and outside the National Assembly.

In this regard, in the previous convocation of the National Assembly, the Commissioner addressed the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia at the time, pointing out the importance of the prohibition of discrimination proclaimed by the Constitution and law, as well as the importance of legal provisions prohibiting discrimination and harassment and degrading treatment. In the mentioned letters, it was pointed out that the work of the National Assembly is public, and that, in accordance with the Law on the National Assembly and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, deputies are obliged to respect the Constitution, law and Rules of Procedure, to preserve the reputation, respect the dignity and order at the sessions of the National Assembly, committees and parliamentary groups in the performance of their parliamentary duties and with their overall behavior, to address other deputies with respect, without insulting expressions and without presenting facts and assessments related to the private life of others, as well as to perform other obligations prescribed by law.

Thereby, state officials and public authorities have a special responsibility and an extremely important role in spreading tolerance, promoting the right to diversity and creating a society in which the rights of all will be respected without discrimination.

Respecting the National Assembly as the highest representative body and as the bearer of constitutional and legislative power in the Republic of Serbia, and you as the Speaker, bearing in mind that protection against discrimination of all citizens of Serbia and promotion of equality is one of the priorities of the entire society, and hence the National Assembly as well, we believe that only by working together in building a culture of tolerance, inclusion and non-violence, we can contribute to combating this unacceptable social phenomenon.

Respectfully,

COMMISSIONER FOR THE PROTECTION OF EQUALITY
Brankica Jankovic