Serbia Council session on UPR May 2023 presentation of Civil Society report – UNRC TPs

Dobar dan,

Minister Zigmanov, representatives of the Government of Serbia and independent institutions, Ambassador Braathu, rep of the civil society. Thank you for inviting me to speak today at the Council’s Session to prepare the upcoming UPR session for Serbia. This 4th UPR cycle comes at the time when we are all jointly celebrating the 75th anniversary of the UDHR which recognized that governance oriented toward promoting and protecting human rights is the foundation of freedom, equality, justice, and peace in the world. We know that human rights are the catalyst to progress. I have been in Serbia for almost 4 years, and I can say that much has been achieved. But when it comes to Human Rights, we know that the fight for rights and equality ever ends. I will share 3 points with you today.

1. On behalf of the United Nations, I would like to express our appreciation for the active engagement of various stakeholders in the promotion and protection of human rights in Serbia. We recognize the significant contributions made through the submission of reports for the UPR, which serves as a comprehensive review of human rights in the country. Reports from civil society organizations, including those with experience in monitoring and reporting on UN Human Rights Standards, provide additional information and data, different perspectives that complement the state report. This helps us to gain a better understanding of the real impact on citizens, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable.
2. As the UN in Serbia, we have also submitted information for the UPR review, which is incorporated in the UN compilation report prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), acting as the UPR secretariat, with inputs from multiple UN agencies.  Some of the good progress are the antidiscrimination strategy and Action Plan, on gender equality and GBV, rights of persons with disabilities the cooperation with the UN HR mechanisms in general, and the development of the LNOB tool. The country now need to accelerate the focus on the ratification of important standards such as the Optional Protocols on the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – we welcome the most recent progress on this; the harmonization of the legal framework with UN Human Rights Standards in various areas including antidiscrimination, criminal justice; strengthening of independent institutions; enabling free civic space and media freedom; enhancing efforts towards social cohesion and building trust; dealing with the past; we also see new risks of climate change and environmental degradation particularly for vulnerable groups
3. UN Serbia remains committed to supporting all relevant State authorities and other stakeholders, including the Council for Monitoring and Reporting to UN Human Rights Mechanisms (NMRF), to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for all people in Serbia. We congratulate the Council for initiating the nationalization of the OHCHR’s National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD), which will simplify the monitoring, reporting, and follow-up of UN Human Rights Mechanisms outcomes, including the UPR outcomes.
4. To conclude, the UPR session in May is an opportunity to highlight the advancements and achievements made in the preceding period, and recognize the existing shortcomings/gaps that need additional efforts in the upcoming period.

We see 3 areas where we need to jointly accelerate actions:

1. Full implementation of the legislative framework so that there is a meaningful difference for people in their lives – for this, we need political will, institutional capacities, and citizens awareness;
2. We encourage the political and religious leadership to embrace and promote the human rights agenda in all areas of life, including on equality of opportunities for all, gender equality, prevention of hate speech and divisive narrative, safeguard of freedom of expression, LGBTI rights, protection and integration of refugees, implementation of the full labour rights and environmental rights agenda.
3. Maintain continuously support to platforms that promote constructive dialog, and meaningful participation of citizens. The United Nations will continue to provide needed assistance and support in upholding and improving human rights, deliver on the 2023 Agenda through ensuring to leave no one behind in Serbia.

Once again, big thanks to all of you around this table today, this is not an easy path, and we are walking on it together.