OSCE reacts to "campaign" against equality commissioner

BELGRADE The OSCE mission in Serbia on Friday issued a statement in reaction to the negative public campaign against the country's equality commissioner. The mission's acting head, Paula Thiede, "expressed dismay at the public campaign against the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Nevena Petrusic, in some Serbian media outlets", a statement said. OSCE reacts to "campaign" against equality commissioner She urged that any allegations be investigated in compliance with proper procedures and in accordance with the rule of law. “Trial by media and public accusations undermine the independence and effectiveness of institutions and regulatory bodies such as the commissioner for the protection of equality. This is a key human rights body in Serbia,” said Thiede. She added that the OSCE Mission to Serbia was working to support Serbian authorities in strengthening human rights standards and the rule of law: “The OSCE Mission will maintain its firm support for independent institutions and regulatory bodies and an independent, professional media.” The Serbian parliament has received a petition, the signing of which started in 2011, demanding that Petrusic be dismissed from her position. The signatories accused her of being biased in favor of some minority groups, such as the LGBT population, of "easily branding" people in a negative manner, and often passing judgements that are offensive toward the country's majority nation. The NGO sector, however, responded to accusations against Petrusic by saying that her job was to "point out to discrimination and hate speech, regardless of who perpetrated it". Nevena Petrusic (B92, file) B92

OSCE reacts to "campaign" against equality commissioner

She urged that any allegations be investigated in compliance with proper procedures and in accordance with the rule of law.

“Trial by media and public accusations undermine the independence and effectiveness of institutions and regulatory bodies such as the commissioner for the protection of equality. This is a key human rights body in Serbia,” said Thiede.

She added that the OSCE Mission to Serbia was working to support Serbian authorities in strengthening human rights standards and the rule of law:

“The OSCE Mission will maintain its firm support for independent institutions and regulatory bodies and an independent, professional media.”

The Serbian parliament has received a petition, the signing of which started in 2011, demanding that Petrušić be dismissed from her position.

The signatories accused her of being biased in favor of some minority groups, such as the LGBT population, of "easily branding" people in a negative manner, and often passing judgements that are offensive toward the country's majority nation.

The NGO sector, however, responded to accusations against Petrušić by saying that her job was to "point out to discrimination and hate speech, regardless of who perpetrated it".