Serbia / The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality / 07-00-00146/2021-02

Country

Serbia

Title

Serbia / The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality / 07-00-00146/2021-02

View full Case

Year

2021

Decision/ruling/judgment date

Wednesday, November 03, 2021

Incident(s) concerned/related

Other forms of hate speech

Related Bias motivation

Migrant status

Groups affected

refugees & asylum seekers

Court/Body type

National Human Rights Body

Court/Body

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality (Poverenik za zaštitu ravnopravnosti)

Key facts of the case

The NGO Atina informed the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality about a poster in the public transportation that read: “Stop migrants from occupying Serbia.” Atina argued that the poster incited hatred and intolerance against migrants.

Main reasoning/argumentation

The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality opined that the anti-migrant poster was in contravention with domestic anti-discrimination laws, constitutional order, and international standards, namely those enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right and the European Convention on Human Rights. The poster messaging incited hatred and intolerance against migrants. The Commissioner corroborated its reasoning with its 2019 Report according to which migrants and asylum seekers are the social group facing the greatest social distance. It reiterated that hate speech constitutes a form of discrimination aiming to spread fear and hatred among citizens and is oftentimes perceived as call to violence against a particular group.

Is the case related to the application of the Framework Decision on Racism and Xenophobia, the Racial Equality Directive?

Key issues (concepts, interpretations) clarified by the case

The key issue was whether the anti-migrant poster in public transportation constituted hate speech.

Results (sanctions, outcome) and key consequences or implications of the case

The Commissioner highlighted that Serbia’s legal framework guarantees the equal protection of the laws and is committed to fostering the spirit of tolerance. The Commissioner recommended to the public transportation company “Belgrade” urgent removal of the posters expressing hatred and intolerance against migrants. Going forward, the transportation company is to inspect its vehicles in order to prevent the posting of any discriminatory content. The case is closed.

Key quotation in original language and its unofficial translation into English with reference details

“ (…) слобода говора, без обзира на начин изношења и објављивања идеја и ставова никада не сме да буде изговор за дискриминацију. Објављивање садржаја који су на било који начин доступни јавности, а у којима се позива на насиље, бојкот, изолованост или нетрпељивост особа, односно којима се шири говор мржње и врши дискриминација је Уставом и законом забрањено.” Стр. 3 “ (…) the freedom of expression, regardless of its form, must never serve as an excuse for discrimination. The publication of content available to the public in any form, that calls for violence, boycott, isolation, and intolerance against individuals, or that spreads hate speech and discriminates is prohibited by the Constitution and law.” p. 3

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.