The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality submitted to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia the fourteenth Regular annual report on the protection of equality for 2023.

The largest number of citizens’ complaints in 2023 related to discrimination based on age and health status, disability, national affiliation or ethnic origin, gender, marital and family status.

When it comes to areas, most complaints were filed due to discrimination regarding work and employment, in proceedings before public authorities, in the area of education and professional training, as well as during the provision of public services or the use of facilities and areas, health care, public information and media, and in the area of social protection.

During the year, the Commissioner acted in 3,282 cases regarding protection against discrimination, including 600 complaints, while 660 recommendations for achieving equality, 20 initiatives to change regulations, and 32 opinions on draft laws and other general acts were sent to public authorities and other persons. The recommendations were acted upon in 84.3% of cases, which represents a slight decrease compared to previous years.

The year behind us was largely marked by numerous cases of gender-based and peer violence, as well as discriminatory speech in public spaces. Discrimination of the elderly is recognized as one of the biggest challenges for the entire region, which is why the 7th regional and the annual conference of the Commissioner was dedicated to this topic, attended by representatives of equality bodies from Southeast Europe.

In addition to the regular annual report, during 2023, the Commissioner produced eight publications and carried out three research studies – “Why do women not report domestic violence?”, “Attitude of citizens towards discrimination in Serbia” and “Attitude of representatives of public authorities towards discrimination in Serbia”.

The fourteenth Regular annual report of the Commissioner was submitted on the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination.