Human Rights Day 2024 - UNRC Opening Remarks

Honorable Minister Zigmanov, esteemed vice president of the Government of Vojvodina, distinguished government officials, respected members of the diplomatic community, partners, dear colleagues, 

It is a privilege to address you today on behalf of the United Nations in Serbia as we mark International Human Rights Day. 

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights” as envisaged in the iconic opening sentence of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Serbia has demonstrated a strong commitment to human rights by ratifying eight of the nine core United Nations human rights instruments. The Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families remains the only core instrument pending ratification. We commend the State's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, enhancing citizen rights protection and providing crucial guidance for the State at the national level.

Human rights are central to the 2030 Agenda, to which Serbia is committed. In 2022, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, in collaboration with the UN Human Rights Team, independent institutions, civil society, and academia, developed a tool to integrate the "Leave No One Behind" principle into law and policy development. We now must continue to affirm a commitment to advancing the rights of all populations in Serbia.

Serbia maintains a commendable level of cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, as evidenced by its regular reporting, active participation in sessions, and openness to special procedure visits. Through inter-institutional coordination, use of data systems, stronger collaboration with all stakeholders, and heightened political support, we can maximize the response to the recommendations made. 

Recent reviews by UN human rights mechanisms—including treaty bodies, special procedures, and the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR)—have highlighted areas where further progress is needed. Key recommendations include strengthening the rule of law, democracy, and good governance. Serbia’s legal framework is comprehensive, encompassing various dimensions of economic, social and political and civic rights and gender equality, and is largely aligned with international human rights standards, reflecting the country’s commitment. However, the consistent application of these standards across all areas remains a challenge, and the enforcement of laws can sometimes lack uniformity. 

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Government, the Ministry, and the Minister, in his capacity as the Chair of the Council for Monitoring and Reporting on Human Rights, on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. Since its establishment in 2014, the Council has distinguished itself as a mechanism with significant potential. This milestone marks a decade of dedicated efforts and achievements in the promotion and protection of human rights in Serbia. The United Nations commends the Council for its commitment to fostering dialogue, collaboration, and inclusivity, particularly through the integration of civil society perspectives into state reporting processes. As a national mechanism for reporting and follow-up, the Council plays a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of human rights standards and recommendations issued by international human rights mechanisms. A particularly valuable addition to these efforts has been the National Recommendations Tracking Database, developed with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. This tool has proven indispensable for systematically tracking progress, ensuring continuous monitoring, and streamlining reporting to the UN human rights mechanisms. On this important occasion, we reaffirm our support for the Council’s work and its vital role in promoting human rights for all.

Existing cooperation with civil society organizations and the media has been crucial in advancing human rights. However, challenges include hate speech, limited public participation, and threats against journalists and activists. Our shared responsibility is to rebuild trust, foster respect, and revive constructive dialogue. By ensuring that all voices are heard, we can enhance human rights protection for Serbia's citizens.

As we mark this significant occasion, the United Nations reiterates its steadfast commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders in upholding universal standards and values.

Let us remember:

• By defending human rights, we can prevent harm before it happens.
• By advancing human rights, we create a fairer world.
• By protecting human rights, we protect our future.

Thank you.