Brankica Janković, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality said that marking the 18th December, the International Migrants Day is very important this year in view of the fact that due to wars raging in the Near and Middle East as well as in Africa, the issue of migration has become the single most important challenge in today’s society.

It has been estimated that during this year alone, around half a million of migrants coming from war affected areas have transited through our country. Serbia has set a good example of what a tolerant and human society should look like. This is supported by the fact that the vast majority of citizens of Serbia demonstrated solidarity and desire to help, said Commissioner Janković.

The gesture of president of Kanjiža Municipality, Mihalj Bimbo who, following Commissioner’s recommendation, offered a public apology for his discriminatory statement against asylum seekers, inspires confidence.

During our visit to the border crossing between Serbia and Macedonia, we called on all relevant national and international institutions to help and prevent an impending humanitarian catastrophe.

Commissioner Janković reiterated that both as a society and as a country we must fight against each and every form of discrimination, while xenophobia and intolerance must be widely condemned in each democratic society.