Opening the conference, Meho Omerovic, Chairman of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, said he was glad that the Committee he chairs took part in the presentation of public policy proposals many of which concern areas where members of the LGBT population encounter problems, and, unfortunately, sometimes human rights violations. The proposed documents contain recommendations grounded in international standards and could be of help to the state authorities in designing activities within their jurisdiction, said Meho Omerovic.
He also stressed that cooperation with organisations dealing with the protection of LGBT rights and state institutions is essential, since the LGBT population is among the groups suffering the biggest discrimination and is often exposed to threats, hate speech and violence.
Meho Omerovic listed some of the goals that need to be achieved in order to improve the position of LGBT people, such as creating a safer environment, improving legislation, especially the Anti-Discrimination Law, and improving the healthcare for LGBT people.
Irena Vojackova–Sollorano, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Nenad Djurdjevic of the Forum for Ethnic Relations, Tim Cartwright, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Luca Bianconi, Head of the Political Section of the EU Delegation in Serbia, and Tracy Gallagher, Deputy Head of the Mission of the UK Embassy in Belgrade, also spoke in the introductory part of the conference.
The right to freedom of expression and freedom of movement is a fundamental human right. In the fight between human rights and traditional values, human rights must prevail, said Irena Vojackova–Sollorano. She said that the United Nations support transsexuals and bisexuals, stating that they have absolutely equal rights like anybody else. It is the UN’s recommendation to eliminate stereotypes, prejudice and better inform the public on the rights of the LGBT population.
The participants pointed out that discrimination is most rampant in the field of employment, that out of all LGBT people, transsexuals are the most vulnerable, and that high-school textbooks contain texts that contribute to the spread of discrimination, therefore the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development should be addressed with a request to change the content of said texts. The participants of the conference also spoke of the inadequate implementation of the existing laws, mainly the Anti-Discrimination Law.
They also spoke of the support to the development of public policies in the sphere of LGBT rights protection and efficient protection of mental health via the presentation of the Handbook on LGBT psychotherapy.