The 2013 annual reports of the Protector of Citizens' Rights and the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance were presented yesterday at the forum in Vranje.

While talking about civil rights, the Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic said that he wanted to hear how relevant the data in the report were from the perspective of a local self-government or local community.

“There are several reasons why I believe that Serbia resembles Belgrade. It is necessary to check with the people from local communities if the data in the report, as well as the proposals, findings and opinions concerning Serbia, are relevant for local communities in Serbia, as well as from the perspective of the local judiciary, administration, judges and local organizations.  The citizens don’t perceive the public sector as fair and impartial and it is a shame that everyone in the public sector is perceived as if they were fat cats or corrupt. The fact is that it isn’t so”, Mr. Jankovic said.  

The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance Rodoljub Sabic said that not only Belgrade was Serbia and that we needed a good estimate of things at the local level when it comes to human rights, in a way that makes it possible for problems to be solved.

“There are few modern laws in Serbia that produce results right away. The moment when the number of complaints lodged with the Commissioner and the Ombudsman begins to decline will be a sign that we have reached a specific level.  When it comes to the protection of personal data, we have unimaginable violations of rights and breaches of privacy, which are inconceivable in a world that we strive for as a country, which aren’t conceivable without being sanctioned”, Mr. Sabic said.  

On behalf of the host, Zoran Antic, the Mayor of Vranje, said that Vranje was considered to be an open civil environment, with no divisions or separations of any kind. 

“Vranje is a city that has offices that communicate with the citizens on a daily basis. This is an opportunity for us to see how far we have progressed as a local community in the protection of human and civil rights, as well as in the sphere of development of a particular milieu that is conducive to the protection of citizens' rights.   The city of Vanje has its own ombudsman and the office that renders legal aid.  Vranje is very grateful ​​to the NGO sector, after whose recommendations many things became parts of the city's decisions”, said Mr. Antic.

After Vranje, forums on the same issues will be held in four more cities in Serbia.

Source: OK Radio and Coordination Body