OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities discusses Serbia’s progress on national minority issues with authorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited the Republic of Serbia from 24 to 29 October 2022.

In Belgrade, he met with the President of the National Assembly Vladimir Orlić, President of the Government Ana Brnabić, Minister of Education Branko Ružić, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Janković, the then-Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue Gordana Čomić, and other government authorities, as well as the Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Porfirije.

The High Commissioner discussed progress on the integration of Serbia’s diverse society with the authorities, including recent updates to its legislative and institutional framework on national minorities. He noted the completion of a Draft Action Plan for the Exercise of the Rights of National Minorities by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue and a Strategy and Action Plan for the Development of Education that mainstreams national minority issues. Abdrakhmanov described these outcomes as “important milestones in Serbia’s efforts to promote social cohesion.”

He also discussed the National Minority Councils in Serbia and the upcoming elections to these institutions. The High Commissioner highlighted the important function of the National Minority Councils in giving persons belonging to national minorities the opportunity to address matters that affect them.

In his discussions on the situation of ethnic Serbs in the region, the High Commissioner encouraged continued dialogue between Serbia and its neighbours.

In the southern municipality of Bujanovac, the High Commissioner met with representatives of the ethnic Albanian community, including Member of Parliament Shaip Kamberi, President of the Albanian National Minority Council Ragmi Mustafi, and President of the Municipality of Bujanovac Nagip Arifi.

The High Commissioner welcomed the recent rejuvenation of the Seven Point Plan on southern Serbia as a platform for social dialogue, as well as the participation of ethnic Albanians in the census. He welcomed the ongoing dialogue of the Serbian authorities and representatives of the ethnic Albanian community towards finding practical solutions to matters that require joint effort.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov had the opportunity to meet a diverse group of students and teachers in Bujanovac to discuss their experiences in education and society. They shared how multilingual competence in Serbian and Albanian opens doors to employment and social interaction. The High Commissioner praised the dedication of the teachers and encouraged the students to continue learning languages to unlock opportunities.

In Bujanovac, the High Commissioner co-chaired the Stakeholders’ Meeting of the Bujanovac Department of the Subotica Faculty of Economics of the University of Novi Sad together with Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. The stakeholders noted the Bujanovac Department’s achievements during the past year and established an agenda for progress next year. The High Commissioner stated, “I am glad that all stakeholders and actors remain actively committed to the Department, including by maintaining continuous communication. My institution looks forward to further co‑operation with the Department and fellow stakeholders in supporting this important initiative.”