Commissioner for Protection of Equality Ms Brankica Janković strongly condemns brutal physical attack on Lesbian organisation Labris’s activist Dragoslava Barzut and another three young women and requests prompt reaction of competent authorities, so to bring to the end all physical attacks motivated by homophobia.

„It is absolutely unacceptable and to strongly condemn attacking women who are sitting in a bar, for any reason. Particularly worrisome are facts stated by Labris on this assault motivated by the hatred because of a personal characteristic, as these kind of assaults are of the gravest forms of discrimination and of the most devastating consequences, making every LGBT person, but also every woman to feel insecure and unsafe. I expect for perpatrators to be found and adequatly sanctioned in this case, as no one who threatens and physically assaults our citizens should be tolerated”, Commissioner Jankovic pointed out.

She underlines that only effective acting of competent authorities can send clear message to the perpatrators, advocates of such attacks and the general public which is that hate crimes, discrmination and violence against women will be punished. Adequate response of the state sends clearest message and is the most effective way of prevention.

The Commissioner emphasizes that in democratic society like Serbia seeks to be, inviolability of physical and mental integrity of every citizen and protection from discrimination must be guaranteed and fully effective.