Dr Oliver Dulic, Speaker of the National Assembly, today received the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Human Rights, Hina Jilani, who is visiting Serbia from 17 – 21 September.

The main subject of the talks was the protection of human rights in Serbia, legal regulation thereof and the role of non-government organisations dealing with these issues. Hina Jilani stated that she supports the efforts made in Serbia for the creation of a better connection between the government and the organisations dealing with the protection of human rights and stressed the need to have their work publicly supported. According to her estimate, Serbia still lacks a sufficient number of institutions dealing with this issue, although it is a priority for post-conflict societies.

During the talks the representative of the UN Secretary-General insisted that the individuals and activists of organisations dealing with human rights should be especially protected as they are occasionally exposed to threats and attacks, which was fully supported by the Speaker of the Assembly. He also agreed with her belief that the Parliament should be open and give more support to the activities of non-government organisations, above all those dealing with the protection of human rights. Their role in the protection of these rights is essential, especially in view of the difficult situation and numerous violations of human rights in Kosovo and Metohia.

The Speaker of The National Assembly acquainted Hina Jilani with the legal regulations in the field of human rights and emphasized that a Bill is being drafted that will regulate the work of non-government organizations. In connection with that, he expressed his hope that the Bill on Associations will be presented at one of the upcoming Assembly sessions.