On 28 March 2023, the Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina welcomed the Serbian Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Janković. They talked about the competences of both institutions and about the care for the vulnerable social groups who are most frequently victims of discrimination and violation of rights. They also touched upon the importance of the independence of supervisory institutions and the protection of their position in the light of global challenges and events.

“The independent position of supervisory bodies that safeguard human rights is of key importance for the effective protection of human rights, while the implementation of given recommendations by competent bodies is a sign of a high political culture and a democratic society,” emphasised the Ombudsman. The Commissioner added the importance of partnerships in the region and internationally, since they contribute to the quality of protection of human rights, the rule of law, and the development of a democratic and tolerant society.

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality in Serbia is an independent, sovereign, and specialised national body established on the basis of the Discrimination Prohibition Act from 2009. The Commissioner Brankica Janković was elected for this position for the second time on 26 November 2020. The tasks of this national body are the prevention of all types, forms, and examples of discrimination, the protection of equality of natural and legal persons in all fields of social relations, supervision over the use of regulations about the prohibition of discrimination, and the promotion of realisation and protection of equality.