The statement made by well-known sports official Miodrag Božović, that people over the age of 65 should be denied the right to vote, is discriminatory and should be condemned, said the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković.

To deny people their fundamental human rights, such as the right to vote, solely based on their age, is not only prohibited by the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, but is also dangerous, as it encourages prejudice and contributes to the creation of a hostile and degrading environment for older citizens.

Supporting young people and their ideas is entirely legitimate, but that in no way justifies proposals that would lead to the denial of rights to other age groups. Human rights are universal and apply to all people, emphasized the Commissioner.

It is especially harmful to society when such statements come from public figures who hold a certain level of credibility or influence. Responsibility in public discourse is particularly important when speaking about human rights and freedoms, concluded Janković.