Minister of Justice, Nikola Selaković, met today with Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, with whom he talked about the improvement of the legislative framework and measures for purpose of improving protection of marginalized and minority groups in Serbia.
Selaković and Janković agreed that there are still cases, not only in the judiciary, but in the entire society where, due to various circumstances, there are unequal positions, both among the citizens themselves, and between the citizens and institutions. On the other hand, they pointed out that there are situations of abuse of rights by the citizens or holders of certain functions in the society in relation to the state and its institutions.
During the conversation, Minister Selaković pointed out that the recently adopted Law on the Protection of the Right to Trial within a Reasonable Time protect rights of the citizens before the courts and improve access to justice. This Law, as the Minister stated, was estimated by the Council of Europe as one of the best laws of this kind in this part of Europe which will definitely contribute to increased accountability of holders of judicial functions and efficiency of the judiciary.
Commissioner Janković pointed out the importance of urgent adoption of the Law on Free Legal Aid which would, in the most effective way, enable the citizens to equally exercise their right to free legal aid.
One of agenda items was improvement of efficiency and effectiveness in providing family legal and criminal legal protection against domestic violence. Minister Selaković suggested that the Commissioner for Protection of Equality participates as an observer in a working group which was formed after tragic cases in which women got hurt as victims of domestic violence.
A Commissioner’s representative would, in this way, be able to contribute to the improvement of legal solutions planned in this field. Minister Selaković suggested that the working group should, as soon as possible, create a model to be used by all relevant institutions for purpose of taking quick and effective actions in cases of domestic violence. He added that the working group will also be engaged in drafting of the law which will regulate organization, coordination and actions of state authorities in the fight against domestic violence.
At the end of the meeting, Janković and Selaković discussed about the most important solutions envisaged by the draft Civil Code, particularly those relating to the LGBT population and surrogate motherhood.