We celebrate International Human Rights Day in the shadow of great upheavals and dynamic changes, which influenced and cast a shadow both on the respect and realization of human rights and their more frequent violation, says Brankica Janković, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.

In this turbulent time, while we are recovering from the pandemic and while millions of people are on the move – forced to leave their homes due to war, persecution, poverty, and climate change, the Commissioner states that for many, the principle that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still only letters on a piece of paper.

“Gender-based violence is a burning issue in many countries. In Serbia, for many of our fellow women citizens, their home has become the most dangerous place to live. And the right above all other rights, the right to life, was denied to 25 of them this year,” Janković points out.

The practice of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality shows that women are in a worse position than men in the field of work and employment, and there are frequent cases of discrimination against pregnant and birthing women, women who are about to retire, women with disabilities, and Roma women.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community face hate speech, threats, and violence, which often go unreported.

Janković points out that Human Rights Day is an opportunity to raise the alarm once again about peer violence and violence in schools but also about hate speech, which is present everywhere in the virtual world and on social networks, because many abuse the right to freedom of speech – they insult, threaten and harass, endangering someone’s dignity, integrity, and life.

Both as individuals and as societies as a whole, we are called to face complex challenges and show true commitment to the universal principles of equality. The Convention on Human Rights exists to ensure respect for fundamental human rights in all circumstances, and that is why, the Commissioner adds, prevention and changing awareness are of immeasurable importance.

“We must teach young people that we are not all the same but that we should all have the same chances, opportunities, and conditions. With the sincere wish that next December 10th, there will be a much longer list of successes in improving, respecting, and promoting human rights throughout the world, I congratulate all our citizens on Human Rights Day!” said the Commissioner.