In May 2015, Praxis conducted two workshops on child, early and forced marriages for Roma women and Roma men from the settlement Blazevo, Novi Pazar, with UNHCR support. The workshops were designed in a way that women/girls participated on the first day and men/boys on the second. The reason to divide participants on the basis of sex is the fact that child, early and forced marriages differently affect the lives of men and women, actually that girls/women are largely those who suffer the consequences of such marriages.

A total of 40 persons – 20 men/boys and 20 women/girls participated in the workshops. The following topics were tackled through discussion and examples from practice: position of women and men within the Roma community, traditional customs, importance of education, availability of health care, child upbringing, life without violence, and legal framework regulating the exercise of the stated rights.

In addition, the video clips Avoid My Destiny and I'm a Roma Woman were played.

The goal of the workshops was to open a discussion within the Roma population about harmful traditional customs, and to discover mechanisms that would help to easily leave the circle of poverty.



For more information, see: Workshop on child, early and forced marriages in Novi Pazar

Acting upon the Praxis complaint, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality has established that Informer Daily has not violated the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination by publishing the article entitled ”ATTENTION! Malaria, Polio and Bird Flu Arrive with Migrants” as of 1 July 2015.

The Commissioner for Protection of Equality is of the opinion that “the author of the text transmits the quoted statements, opinions and views of the epidemiologists and therefore the responsibility of the journalist/editor-in-chief for statements given by another person is not justified…”.  In the conclusion, the Commissioner relies, among others, on international resources and practice, particularly the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, which implies that limitations of freedom of expression shall not be such to “discourage the open discussion about the issues of public interest”.

Despite the Commissioner’s opinion, Praxis is of the opinion that responsibility of media cannot be excluded by the fact that opinions of third persons are “just” transmitted in the text, because it is the purpose and the responsibility of the editor-in-chief to take the responsibility for the information that is communicated in the newspaper. We agree that in a democratic society freedom of expression may be only exclusively limited and that such limitations shall not “discourage the open discussion about the issues of public interest”. However, the disputed statements, assessments and views are not such.

The lack of conviction of Informer Daily writing is the missed opportunity to clearly indicate the responsibility of media when reporting and obligation not to contribute to discrimination, spread unjustified fear and intolerance towards refugees and migrants passing through Serbia, and to highlight that discrimination cannot be justified with the argument that it is just transmission of the statement by a interlocutor.

For more information, see the statement: The Commissioner for Protection of Equality Established that Informer Daily Did Not Discriminated against Refugees and Migrants

Acting upon the Praxis complaint, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality has established that Informer Daily has not violated the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination by publishing the article entitled ”ATTENTION! Malaria, Polio and Bird Flu Arrive with Migrants” as of 1 July 2015.

Relying on national and international legislation, Praxis pointed out that disputable text makes unjustified difference between the refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan and other foreigners coming to Serbia from the countries with the risk of the mentioned diseases. The text does not contain any official data on possible growth of infectious diseases in Serbia and highlighting the nationality and belonging to certain group is not in the function of understanding the context of the event that is reported about. In addition, the disputable article unjustifiably brings anxiety and fear, given that the title of the sidebar also suggests that “each contact with migrants is dangerous”.

The Commissioner for Protection of Equality is of the opinion that “the author of the text transmits the quoted statements, opinions and views of the epidemiologists and therefore the responsibility of the journalist/editor-in-chief for statements given by another person is not justified…”.  In the conclusion, the Commissioner relies, among others, on international resources and practice, particularly the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, which implies that limitations of freedom of expression shall not be such to “discourage the open discussion about the issues of public interest”.

Despite the Commissioner’s opinion, Praxis is of the opinion that responsibility of media cannot be excluded by the fact that opinions of third persons are “just” transmitted in the text, because it is the purpose and the responsibility of the editor-in-chief to take the responsibility for the information that is communicated in the newspaper. We agree that in a democratic society freedom of expression may be only exclusively limited and that such limitations shall not “discourage the open discussion about the issues of public interest”. However, the disputed statements, assessments and views are not such.

The lack of conviction of Informer Daily writing is the missed opportunity to clearly indicate the responsibility of media when reporting and obligation not to contribute to discrimination, spread unjustified fear and intolerance towards refugees and migrants passing through Serbia, and to highlight that discrimination cannot be justified with the argument that it is just transmission of the statement by a interlocutor.

See also the statement: Informer Daily Violated the Code of Ethics of Journalists of Serbia

Statement published in the following media: CENZOLOVKA
                                                             ROMAWORLD

We mark the 20th June, World Refugee Day, with a feeling of a great uncertainty over the faith of a great number of migrants passing through our country, lacking protection from violence, discrimination, abuse, maltreatment and insults.

Unaccompanied child migrants are one of the most vulnerable groups. Misdemeanour courts in Serbia proceed upon charges against child migrants for illegal border-crossing, even though numerous international and European regulations state that children cannot be deprived of liberty only because of the lack of migratory status. Furthermore, there have been cases of breaching legal obligations by conducting procedures without the presence of a guardian or an interpreter.

Unaccompanied child migrants are forced to leave their homes, which is sufficient reason for being granted international protection. Regardless of the fact that most migrants do not wish to stay in Serbia, state bodies are obliged to ensure protection of their rights during their stay in our territory and to treat unaccompanied child migrants in accordance with the principle of the best interests of a child.

Statement by ChildPact

Ever since the beginning of the refugee crisis, the members of The Serbian Network of Organisations for Children of Serbia (NOCS) have been involved in activities aimed at helping and supporting children of migrants and refugees from Syria and other countries in the Middle East. Among them, there is a large number of children, with an escort or unaccompanied, who are especially sensitive and vulnerable. As the situation is becoming more complicated and uncertain, NOCS mapped potential partners that have the capacity to get engaged in new activities and that are already active in providing support to the children of refugees.

NOCS members conduct activities in Belgrade, in the south of the country in Presevo, in the north near Subotica, Horgos, Kanjiza and Sid.

Know How Center, SOS Children’s Villages Serbia, Udruženje građana Duga, Pomoć deci, Novosadski humanitarni centar NSHC, The Center for Youth Integration and Friends of Children of Serbia have involved volunteers who are collecting and participating in the distribution of humanitarian aid (packages, hygiene, food, water). They have formed mobile teams and are working with children in detention centers where special corners are formed for them. They are planning health assistance and support for children and families. Among NOCS members, there are also organizations that can train volunteers to work with children and refugees.

NVO Atina engaged in a comprehensive program of social inclusion of victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation and can provide training for people who work in the field.

RROMA-ROTA, Somborski Education Center and Grupa za decu i mlade Indigo are also ready and planing to be involved in the activities with refugee children.

A network of partners in the field is being formed in order to assess the need for emergency relief and support and there is cooperation with national institutions and international donor organizations. In larger cities in Serbia, there are local networks against human trafficking which are becoming particularly important in this time of increased inflow of refugees, and in the situation where the risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation is extremely high.

Parental associations in Belgrade, like Udruženje Roditelja, appeal for donation of baby slings and wraps. These are very important so that children would not get separated from their parents or caretakers during their stay and further travelings. They also allow parents to move their hands freely so that they can help their older children. Furthermore, there is a lack of food, water, shoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, raincoats (especially for children), baby wraps – slings, tents, hats, gloves, socks, as well as men’s and women’s shoes.

Praxis is engaged in protection monitoring, distribution of information on survival-related issues, provision of counselling and assistance to refugees in Serbia related to registration of intention to seek asylum in Serbia and access to humanitarian aid. Praxis team is available during working days from 12-14h at the Info Park (Belgrade) and has a hotline during weekends (with an Arabic speaker). In order to directly monitor the situation in the field, Praxis is performing intensive field visits to all current refugee crisis points throughout Serbia.

"According to Save the Children, during 2015, more than 25,000 refugee children have arrived to Serbia, including at least 5,754 unaccompanied minors (UAM). These minors avoid at all costs to be identified as UAMs, insisting that they are “traveling in a group with the aim of reuniting with their family in Germany”. Some of the children have been separated from their parents and families and are particularly at the risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation", said Jasmina Mikovic, Praxis Deputy Director.

Bearing in mind the escalation and scope of the crisis, as well as the coming winter, The Serbian Network of Organizations for Children – NOCS makes an appeal for investing additional efforts in addressing the crisis at both the national and regional levels, pointing out that children are the most vulnerable and the most affected.

See the statement on Child Pact website here.

Statement by ChildPact

Ever since the beginning of the refugee crisis, the members of The Serbian Network of Organisations for Children of Serbia (NOCS) have been involved in activities aimed at helping and supporting children of migrants and refugees from Syria and other countries in the Middle East. Among them, there is a large number of children, with an escort or unaccompanied, who are especially sensitive and vulnerable. As the situation is becoming more complicated and uncertain, NOCS  mapped potential partners that have the capacity to get engaged in new activities and that are already active in providing support to the children of refugees.

NOCS members conduct activities in Belgrade, in the south of the country in Presevo, in the north near Subotica, Horgos, Kanjiza and Sid.

Know How Center, SOS Children’s Villages Serbia, Udruženje građana Duga, Pomoć deci, Novosadski humanitarni centar NSHC, The Center for Youth Integration and Friends of Children of Serbia have involved volunteers who are collecting and participating in the distribution of humanitarian aid (packages, hygiene, food, water). They have formed mobile teams and are working with children in detention centers where special corners are formed for them. They are planning health assistance and support for children and families. Among NOCS members, there are also organizations that can train volunteers to work with children and refugees.

NVO Atina engaged in a comprehensive program of social inclusion of victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation and can provide training for people who work in the field.

RROMA-ROTA, Somborski Education Center and Grupa za decu i mlade Indigo  are also ready and planing to be involved in the activities with refugee children.

A network of partners in the field is being formed in order to assess the need for emergency relief and support and there is cooperation with national institutions and international donor organizations. In larger cities in Serbia, there are local networks against human trafficking which are becoming particularly important in this time of increased inflow of refugees, and in the situation where the risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation is extremely high.

Parental associations in Belgrade, like Udruženje Roditelja, appeal for donation of baby slings and wraps. These are very important so that children would not get separated from their parents or caretakers during their stay and further travelings. They also allow parents to move their hands freely so that they can help their older children. Furthermore, there is a lack of food, water, shoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, raincoats (especially for children), baby wraps – slings, tents, hats, gloves, socks, as well as men’s and women’s shoes.

Praxis is engaged in protection monitoring, distribution of information on survival-related issues, provision of counselling and assistance to refugees in Serbia related to registration of intention to seek asylum in Serbia and access to humanitarian aid. Praxis team is available during working days from 12-14h at the Info Park (Belgrade) and has a hotline during weekends (with an Arabic speaker). In order to directly monitor the situation in the field, Praxis is performing intensive field visits to all current refugee crisis points throughout Serbia.

"According to Save the Children, during 2015, more than 25,000 refugee children have arrived to Serbia, including at least 5,754 unaccompanied minors (UAM). These minors avoid at all costs to be identified as UAMs, insisting that they are “traveling in a group with the aim of reuniting with their family in Germany”. Some of the children have been separated from their parents and families and are particularly at the risk of trafficking, abuse and exploitation", said Jasmina Mikovic, Praxis Deputy Director.

Bearing in mind the escalation and scope of the crisis, as well as the coming winter, The Serbian Network of Organizations for Children – NOCS makes an appeal for investing additional efforts in addressing the crisis at both the national and regional levels, pointing out that children are the most vulnerable and the most affected.

See the statement on Child Pact website here.

Following the Praxis announcement Vecernje novosti Discriminated against Roma, Beta News Agency published the text stating that the Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic said that Vecernje novosti Daily had violated the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination by publishing the text “Disaster in Smederevo: Roma in Sexual Relation with a Girl”.

Praxis filed a complaint to the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, and during the procedure the Commissioner asked for the opinion of the editor-in-chief of Vecernje novoosti Daily, but no opinion about the complaint has been delivered.

"The level of responsibility of Vecernje novosti Daily is even higher given that it is the newspaper with the national circulation, which is distributed in the territory of the whole state and which affects the public opinion, and therefore it is bound to take care when publishing texts that promote prejudices and incite hostile and insulting environment for some social groups", is stated is the conclusion of the Commissioner.

The Commisioner for Protection of Equality recommended to the editor-in-chief of Vecernje novosti Daily not to publish the texts that are disturbing and humiliating towards the Roma national minority and to take care, within its regular activities, not to violate legal regulations on prohibition of discrimination.

Read the statement at Beta News Agency website: Vecernje novosti Daily Incited Discrimiantion with the Text

Balkan Magazin has published Praxis announcement stating that the Appeals Commission of the Press Council established that Vecernje novosti Daily had violated the Code of Ethics of Journalists of Serbia by publishing the article entitled “A Serious Crime Solved after 14 Years – An Elderly Woman Killed with a Screwdriver” as of 11 June 2015.

Read the article published in Danas Daily: Praxis Complaint Adopted
Read Praxis announcement: Vecernje novosti Violated the Code of Ethics of Journalists for Discrimination against Roma

Danas Daily has published Praxis announcement stating that the Appeals Commission of the Press Council established that Vecernje novosti Daily had violated the Code of Ethics of Journalists of Serbia by publishing the article entitled “A Serious Crime Solved after 14 Years – An Elderly Woman Killed with a Screwdriver” as of 11 June 2015.

The Appeals Commission of the Press Council acted upon the complaint lodged by the Coalition against Discrimination. The Appeals Commission adopted the complaint and reached a decision that Code of Ethics of Journalists of Serbia was violated in the part where it is said that a journalist must oppose to all those who violate human rights and that a journalist must be aware of the danger of discrimination that can be spread by media

Read the article published in Danas Daily: Praxis Complaint Adopted
Read Praxis announcement: Vecernje novosti Violated the Code of Ethics of Journalists for Discrimination against Roma