No.07-00-498/2026-02   Date:  4.6.2026.

MUNICIPALITY OF BAČKA PALANKA
Communal Inspection

Bačka Palanka
Kralja Petra Prvog 16

Subject: Recommendation of measures for achieving equality and protection against discrimination

Dear Sir/Madam,

An association of citizens addressed the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, indicating that in the village of Obrovac, at 76 Kralja Petra I Street, graffiti with the content: “Roma, be afraid” is written on a residential building.

The submission states that such an inscription causes fear and a sense of insecurity among members of the Roma national minority, and that it represents a message of hatred, intimidation and intolerance directed towards Roma because of their national affiliation.

Having in mind the above, the Commissioner uses this opportunity to point out that, in accordance with the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, he is authorized to monitor the implementation of laws and other regulations, as well as to issue recommendations of measures to public authorities and other persons for achieving equality and protection against discrimination.

We particularly point out that Article 11 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination[1] prohibits the expression of ideas, information and opinions that incite discrimination, hatred or violence against a person or group of persons because of their personal characteristic, in places accessible to the public, by writing and displaying messages or symbols, as well as in any other manner.

Also, Article 12 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination prohibits harassment, degrading treatment and sexual and gender-based harassment, which has the aim or represents a violation of the dignity of a person or group of persons based on their personal characteristic, especially if this creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating and offensive environment.

The message “Roma, be afraid”, by its content, represents an openly intimidating and hostile message directed towards members of the Roma national minority. Such inscriptions in public space have a negative impact, because they contribute to the spread of fear, intolerance and a sense of insecurity among members of the Roma community, with a message that may be understood as a threat and a call for intimidation.

Having in mind that this is discriminatory and threatening graffiti that is accessible to the public, as well as that its further presence in public space may contribute to the creation of a hostile and intimidating environment towards Roma, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, based on Article 33 paragraph 1 item 9 of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, issues a recommendation of measures to the Communal Inspection of the Municipality of Bačka Palanka to, without delay and in accordance with its competences, take all necessary measures for the removal of the stated graffiti. At the same time, we point out the importance of preventive and proactive action by the local self-government with the aim of preventing the appearance and spread of discriminatory messages in public space, as well as preserving a safe and equal environment for all citizens.

The Commissioner particularly points out the need for urgent action, having in mind that the stated message is directed towards members of the Roma national minority because of their national affiliation, as a personal characteristic protected by the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, and that leaving it in a space accessible to the public may further deepen fear and the sense of insecurity in the local community.

We kindly ask you to inform the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, as soon as possible, of all measures and actions taken regarding this recommendation.

No appeal or any other legal remedy is permitted against this recommendation of measures for achieving equality, in accordance with the law.

[1] “Official Gazette of the RS”, Nos. 22/2009 and 52/2021

COMMISSIONER FOR THE PROTECTIONOF EQUALITY

Milan Antonijević