The State Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Đorđe Dabić, has spoken today in Bačka Topola, on behalf of the Minister Aleksandar Martinović, PhD, at the International Conference “The Importance and Role of the Ombudsman in the Advancement of Human Rights and the Development of Democracy”, dedicated to marking 20 years of work of the Ombudsman institution in the Republic of Serbia.
Dabić has pointed out that Bačka Topola is the first local self-government in Serbia that established the institution of a local Ombudsman. He has added that this institution is widespread today and, most importantly, it has retained its basic function, which is the protection of human rights.
“Local Ombudsmen were established for the purpose of pointing out and eliminating possible irregularities and illegalities of administrative bodies and public services in cases of violations of regulations and general acts of those bodies, thereby strengthening the legal protection of our citizens year after year. Impartiality and independence can be highlighted as the most important principles of the Ombudsman’s action in terms of protecting the basic human rights of every individual, and above all the rights of the child,” Dabić has said. He added that, precisely thanks to this independent institution, human and minority rights are exercised more efficiently at the local level, which is of exceptional importance for every democratic society.
He has recalled that the law foresees that two or more Local Self-Government Units may reach a decision on the establishment of a joint local Ombudsman, which increases protection and improves human and minority rights and basic freedoms, and at the same time establishes more effective mutual cooperation and support of local Ombudsmen.
The Conference, which is being held with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Municipality of Bačka Topola, was opened by the President of the Municipality of Bačka Topola, Adrián Szatmári.
In the continuation of the event, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Sarah Groen, the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, Tomislav Žigmanov, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Milan Marinović, as well as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of AP Vojvodina and the Provincial Secretary for Education, Regulations, Administration and National Minorities – National Communities, Zsolt Szakállas, have made their addresses.
Photo gallery – source: MDULS
