In the procedure conducted upon a complaint submitted by a natural person against Dragoslav Bokan, President of the Managing Board of the National Theatre in Belgrade, due to discrimination on the basis of presumed personal characteristics, national affiliation and sexual orientation, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality issued an opinion that Dragoslav Bokan, by his statement on Television B92, in the program “Fokus”, on 1 July 2025, discriminated against the complainant and violated the provisions of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination.

The Commissioner established that Dragoslav Bokan, in a public appearance, unjustifiably linked the complainant’s national affiliation with his political views and activities, and that, by making statements concerning his presumed same-sex union, he violated the dignity of the complainant on the basis of presumed sexual orientation.

Dragoslav Bokan was recommended to send a written apology to the complainant for the statement made, as well as to take care in the future, when giving statements in the media and making public appearances, to comply with regulations on the prohibition of discrimination.

The Commissioner recalls that public space requires special responsibility, particularly from persons who perform public or socially significant functions or participate in public life, and that, in public statements, care must be taken that personal characteristics, whether actual or presumed, are not linked to political views, beliefs or public activity in a manner that leads to discrimination or violation of dignity.

Considering that Dragoslav Bokan did not act upon the Commissioner’s recommendation even after the measure of warning had been issued, within the legally prescribed deadline, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, in accordance with the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, informs the public thereof.