A Memorandum of Cooperation, signed by local authorities by which they commit themselves to systematically combat any form of discrimination of minority groups, was signed on 13th March by local institutions and civil society organizations in Novi Pazar
This is the first document that, local authorities responsible for the protection of citizens' rights, bind themselves to network, monitor and actively respond to cases of discrimination against LGBT people. Apart from Novi Pazar, memorandums of cooperation were signed in six cities - in Subotica, Belgrade, Niš, Pančevo, Novi Sad and Kragujevac.
Mirsad Jusufovic, a member of the city council in City of Novi Pazar, noted that Novi Pazar respects all minorities and minority rights. "This is not a political matter, it is a matter of protecting fundamental human rights. Particularly I am delighted that along the city, other important republic and local institutions, such as the police and the prosecutor's office, were included in the initiative. Only together can we make things better," added Jusufovic.
"The most important thing is that local authorities cooperate in the struggle to improve the position of minority groups and to work more efficiently and coordinated. This is the right way to restore trust in institutions, and also for citizens to report discrimination and violence, "said Lidija Đorđević, a member of the Labris organization, which is implementing the project" Networked to Improve the Position of LGBT People in Serbia "with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by the City of Novi Pazar, the Police Administration of Novi Pazar, the Center for Social Work, the Multiple Public Prosecutor's Office, the National Employment Service, the Town of Novi Pazar and the Urban-IN Association and the Cultural Center DamaD.
You can look at the event report at
http://vhost.arhiv.rs/video/6200AF2A3B116B77C12580E20057006C.mp4
