The conference was organised as part of the European Parliament’s Support Programme for the parliaments of the Western Balkan and Turkey in cooperation with the European Commission and the Italian Presidency of the EU. The conference was attended by parliamentary delegations of the Western Balkan states and Turkey, MEPs, representatives of the European Commission, experts and NGO representatives.

MP Vera Paunovic addressed the participants on the behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, underlining Serbia’s dedication to the establishment of a legal framework of protection against discrimination. She said that the most important document defining the sphere of anti-discrimination is the 2009 Law on Prohibition of Discrimination. The adoption of the 2013-2018 Strategy on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, as well as the Action Plan for the implementation of the Anti-Discrimination Strategy whose main goal is to ensure the constitutional anti-discrimination tenets are respected, confirms Serbia’s determination to be consistent in the enforcement of the law and have it harmonised with the existing European and global standards in the sphere.

Belgrade Pride held on 28 September 2014 is an important step toward an efficient exercise of human rights based on sexual orientation. Srdjan Dragojevic addressed the participants of the conference as an MP and director of the film “Parade”.