Human rights ministry official resigns

State Secretary at the Ministry for Human Rights Marko Karadzic stepped down from his office, dissatisfied with the policy of Minister Svetozar Ciplic. The minister said he was not aware of the reason for such decision. Human rights ministry official resigns In his statement to B92, Karadzic said the reason was disagreement with the policy conducted by Ciplic. "My decision is final," he said. "For many months, the only proof I was a state secretary in that government was my name on the business card. I disagree with the policy and manner in which the Minister Ciplic managed that state institution," Karadzic said. "I find this to be much more than a game - it is a serious business in the field of human rights and I am very sorry that the work of many of my colleagues was not as visible as it should have been, more than anything due to Mr. Ciplic taking his work lightly, with a casual approach" Karadzic said. He said a salary and a position of state secretary did not mean anything to him if he was to go to work every day knowing he could not affect the policy of the ministry in any way whatosoever. "I have seen that my work there is neither respected nor taken seriously. I am convinced that there are still many places where I can really contribute a lot, especially in the field of human rights, because that is what Serbia needs", Karadzic said. Marko Karadzic was widely recognized as a government official whose voice was the loudest and most direct in defending the rights of marginalized groups in society, particularly Roma and members of the LGBT community. Marko Karadzic (FoNet) Ciplic reacts Serbian Minister of Human and Minority Rights Svetozar Ciplic said he was not aware of the reasons Marko Karadzic had for his decision to step down as a state secretary in this ministry. "I do not know what his reasons are and I'll definitely talk to him," Ciplic said to B92 TV. "If you are dissatisfied with the communication you have with someone, you should tell them that," Ciplic said. The minister said that he only found about Karadzic's resignation after a meeting he had with Bosniak representatives on Bosniak National Council and that today was an important day both in regard to the Pride Parade and the meeting with Bosniak representatives. Miletic: Bad news for Serbia Goran Miletic, Legal Counsel for the organization called Civil Rights Defenders, said for B92.net that the resignation of Marko Karadzic was bad news for Serbia. "Marko Karadzic was one of the few government officials who properly understood what state ought to do in the field of human rights, pursuant to the Constitution and international treaties. He did not hesitate to point out that the state is responsible for any and all situations where basic human rights of citizens have been violated. During his tenure, he set the standard for all civil servants whose work affects the human rights of citizens", Miletic said. Goran Miletic (balkanshumanrights.org)

Human rights ministry official resigns

In his statement to B92, Karadžić said the reason was disagreement with the policy conducted by Čiplić. "My decision is final," he said.

"For many months, the only proof I was a state secretary in that government was my name on the business card. I disagree with the policy and manner in which the Minister Čiplić managed that state institution," Karadžić said.

"I find this to be much more than a game - it is a serious business in the field of human rights and I am very sorry that the work of many of my colleagues was not as visible as it should have been, more than anything due to Mr. Čiplić taking his work lightly, with a casual approach" Karadžić said.

He said a salary and a position of state secretary did not mean anything to him if he was to go to work every day knowing he could not affect the policy of the ministry in any way whatosoever.

"I have seen that my work there is neither respected nor taken seriously. I am convinced that there are still many places where I can really contribute a lot, especially in the field of human rights, because that is what Serbia needs", Karadžić said.

Marko Karadžić was widely recognized as a government official whose voice was the loudest and most direct in defending the rights of marginalized groups in society, particularly Roma and members of the LGBT community.

Čiplić reacts

Serbian Minister of Human and Minority Rights Svetozar Čiplić said he was not aware of the reasons Marko Karadžić had for his decision to step down as a state secretary in this ministry.

"I do not know what his reasons are and I'll definitely talk to him," Čiplić said to B92 TV.

"If you are dissatisfied with the communication you have with someone, you should tell them that," Čiplić said.

The minister said that he only found about Karadžić's resignation after a meeting he had with Bosniak representatives on Bosniak National Council and that today was an important day both in regard to the Pride Parade and the meeting with Bosniak representatives.

Miletić: Bad news for Serbia

Goran Miletić, Legal Counsel for the organization called Civil Rights Defenders, said for B92.net that the resignation of Marko Karadžić was bad news for Serbia.

"Marko Karadžić was one of the few government officials who properly understood what state ought to do in the field of human rights, pursuant to the Constitution and international treaties. He did not hesitate to point out that the state is responsible for any and all situations where basic human rights of citizens have been violated. During his tenure, he set the standard for all civil servants whose work affects the human rights of citizens", Miletić said.