The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic opened the Conference dedicated to the International Human Rights Day and the presentation of the Special Report on Discrimination against Children.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH OF THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Dear Ms. Jankovic,
Honourable members of the government,
Dear colleagues, dear guests,
I would like to welcome you to the National Assembly and congratulate everyone on the International Human Rights Day. To mark the occasion, we had a beautiful ceremony in our Central Hall and opened an exhibition of children's works on human rights, so it is time to mark this International Day here, by taking active part in this Conference. I would like to thank the Commissioner for Protection of Equality Ms. Jankovic for the enormous efforts that her institution has invested into drafting this Report, and especially for choosing to share its results and recommendations with us in the National Assembly.
The Report before us is very detailed and comprehensive, covering a large period of time, from 2014 to the middle of this year. First of all, I would like to point out one of his main findings - that in this period the situation concerning the position of children has improved and significant progress has been made in the exercise of their rights.
In this regard, I am glad that this Report also states that the Republic of Serbia has built an adequate anti-discrimination legal framework in recent years by adopting numerous laws in this area and ratifying all relevant international documents related to improving human rights and non-discrimination. The Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, adopted by the National Assembly, is in that sense the foundation of our joint fight against discrimination in all its forms, including the fight against discrimination against children.
The essence of the principle of non-discrimination is that the same rights apply to every child, without exception, and that the state is duty-bound to provide children with protection from any form of discrimination. Starting from the fact that, in our country, all forms of discrimination are prohibited, as well as the fact that everyone has the right to freedom from discrimination, we can say that this creates a solid foundation on which to build and improve the principle of equality and tolerance.
Namely, bearing in mind that the principle of equality of children and adults, which is considered one of the most important legal and moral principles of modern society, we must say that everyone, children and the youth, as well as adults, are worthy of respect, and that whatever the differences between them, are the same in terms of dignity and rights, that is, that all are equal.
I would like to emphasise that this Special Report on Discrimination against Children is vital for all of us, and as such, it is necessary for many reasons because we are, unfortunately, faced with the truth that discrimination against children is still very much present in our society, despite the fact that our legal and institutional framework prohibits it. Unfortunately, this Report also shows that discrimination against children still exists, on many levels, and that the institutions of our state and the society as a whole must invest considerable efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against children.
I am convinced that this gathering will all give us a strong incentive to dedicate ourselves even faster and more decisively to eradicating discrimination against children, if we want a society of true equality where every child, regardless of any personal characteristics, will have equal chances to develop its potential and become a productive, active and responsible member of society.
Finally, I would venture that this Special Report on Discrimination against Children, presented to us today, should be understood as an invitation to all socially responsible actors in our country, to work together to contribute to every child being treated in a dignified manner, whatever their mutual differences and specificities, with the aim of creating a society in which discrimination against children would be eliminated.
I wish you successful work
Thank you!"
