“The public relativization of violence against women makes Milan Antonijević an unacceptable candidate for Commissioner for the Protection of Equality”, civil society organizations point out.
Civil society organizations that work to protect human rights and equality have warned that the election Milan Antonijević za Commissioner for the Protection of Equality represented “another step” in the complete collapse of independent institutions in Serbia, announcing that he would not cooperate with that institution if he was elected.
“Of the five independent institutions that Serbia has, including the Protector of Citizens and the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance, all of them are under the control of the authorities, systemically delegitimized and headed by men elected on the basis of political loyalty, not on the criteria of independence and expertise,” the announcement stated.
The election of Milan Antonijević to the position of commissioner, as assessed, continues the practice of taking over institutions and turning mechanisms for the protection of citizens into an extended arm of the executive authorities.
“His political public support for power holders and ties to structures that should be monitored make him inadequate to perform this function in an independent and impartial manner. Not least, public relativization violence against women makes him an unacceptable candidate, especially if we take into account the prevalence of violence against women in our society”, civil society organizations point out.
Civil society organizations therefore announce that they will not cooperate with the institution of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, if Milan Antonijević is elected, nor will they participate in consultations, working groups, projects or public processes led by an institution whose credibility has been compromised in advance.
“This decision is the last attempt to defend the idea that independent institutions should exist, to serve citizens and not the authorities, as well as that protection against discrimination and the promotion of equality in Serbia must not be illusory or politically controlled,” it was stated in the statement that the Civic Initiatives sent to the media on behalf of more than 30 organization and individuals.
Source: FoNet, Vreme
