29 November 2016 MPs Marija Janjusevic and Ljupka Mihajlovska at the conference in Brussels

29 November 2016 MPs Marija Janjusevic and Ljupka Mihajlovska at the conference in Brussels

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

National Assembly Delegation at Interparliamentary Conference on Non-Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities in EU Enlargement Region

Marija Janjusevic, member of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, and Ljupka Mihajlovska, member of the Committee on Labour, Social Issues, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction, took part in the interparliamentary conference on Non-Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities in the EU Enlargement Region, held in Brussels on 28 and 29 November. The conference, organised by the European Parliament, is part of the support programme for the national parliaments of the countries in the enlargement process.


In her address, Marija Janjusevic said that the status of persons with disabilities should be viewed as a human rights issue and that every country should combat discrimination against persons with disabilities. Speaking of Serbia, she said that the protection of the most vulnerable among us has come out of the shadows, making them socially visible, and significant measures have been undertaken to improve the relevant legislative framework. She said that the most important laws in the area passed by the National Assembly are the Law on Prevention of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, Law on Use of Sign Language, Law on Use of Guide Dogs, Law on Protection of Persons with Mental Health Problems and the Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities. She also informed the attending that a new Strategy for the improvement of the position of persons with disabilities is being prepared, which should contain specific measures for the development of support services for persons with disabilities in local communities, full access to the healthcare system, furthering inclusive education, support for the employment of persons with disabilities, and social protection of persons with disabilities and their families. She spoke of the activities of the Committee on Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, adding that the Committee on Labour, Social Issues, Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction has set up a Working Group for the Political Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. She highlighted the importance of cooperation with associations and organisations dealing with the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. And finally, she again emphasised the need for the full social inclusion of persons with disabilities, so that they no longer be just beneficiaries of assistance, but to contribute to the community with their knowledge, skills and creative ideas.

Ljupka Mihajlovska spoke of the need to increase the political involvement of persons with disabilities, stressing that political parties should be open and adapt to the needs of persons with disabilities so as to engage them politically. She also stressed that politically active persons with disabilities have varied knowledge so their involvement need not be limited to issues of status of persons with disabilities.

The participants of the conference exchanged views on the role of the parliaments of the EU enlargement region in the protection of persons with disabilities, and learned more about the activities of the European Parliament concerning the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which the European Union is a signatory of, as well as the implementation of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020.



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thursday, 28 march
  • 9.00 - consultations of representatives of the parliamentary groups about the election of deputy chairpersons of the National Assembly working bodies (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 1)

  • 10.00 - visit of the students of Stevan Dukic Elementary School to the National Assembly House (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

  • 11.00 - visit of the students of Drinka Pavlovic Elementary School Student Parliament to the National Assembly House (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

  • 11.00 - press conference of the Green-Left Front – Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)оwn Parliamentary Group (National Assembly House 13, Nikola Pasic Square. Central Hall)

  • 13.00 - the National Assembly Speaker meets with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Serbia (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, Speaker’s Cabinet)

Full event calendar