CoE commissioner arrives in Belgrade

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg has arrived in Serbia on Monday. Hammarberg is here to make an assessment of the degree to which human rights are respected, and of their importance in the lives of citizens, Belgrade’s Council of Europe (CoE) office said ahead of his arrival. CoE commissioner arrives in Belgrade The CoE official's visit will be focused on the rule of law, the judicial system, police behavior, torture and abuse, and freedom of speech and the media. Roma minority rights and numerous discrimination issues will also be on the agenda. Apart from Belgrade, Hammarberg will visit the Sandzak region and Vojvodina, "in order to receive first-hand information on the ground" about the respect of individual human rights. He will also tour Serbia’s institutions such as prisons, refugee camps, shelters for women and children, psychiatric and social institutions essential for implementation of human rights, a statement from the CoE office said. The statement further reads that Hammarberg will meet with Serbia’s top officials, judicial, parliamentary and political parties’ representatives. The commissioner will also meet with representatives of local authorities and NGOs.

CoE commissioner arrives in Belgrade

The CoE official's visit will be focused on the rule of law, the judicial system, police behavior, torture and abuse, and freedom of speech and the media.

Roma minority rights and numerous discrimination issues will also be on the agenda.

Apart from Belgrade, Hammarberg will visit the Sandžak region and Vojvodina, "in order to receive first-hand information on the ground" about the respect of individual human rights.

He will also tour Serbia’s institutions such as prisons, refugee camps, shelters for women and children, psychiatric and social institutions essential for implementation of human rights, a statement from the CoE office said.

The statement further reads that Hammarberg will meet with Serbia’s top officials, judicial, parliamentary and political parties’ representatives. The commissioner will also meet with representatives of local authorities and NGOs.