The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights expresses its concern at the high level of hatred towards minorities in our society, particularly the frequent eruptions of intolerance towards Roma people. The latest examples of this are racist inscriptions displayed in Novi Sad, Niš and Zemun, including allegations of threats to which the members of Roma people are exposed.The principle of equality of all citizens is a precondition for the enjoyment of all other human rights, of which promotion and protection is guaranteed by both domestic and international legal provisions. The Belgrade Centre recalls that state organs have the responsibility to protect the human rights of all citizens, particularly when it comes to an obligation to carry out urgent and efficient investigations into all cases of alleged human rights violations.
The state should react more effectively when investigating racially and religiously motivated human rights violations, taking into consideration their impact in our society.
The Human Rights Charter prohibits, (whereas domestic criminal legislation incriminates) eruptions of national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance. It remains to see whether the state organs will act according to their obligations and apply the law. Only in cases where the law is applied equally to all, will it be possible to speak about the rule of law.
The rule of law cannot be maintained by frequent referring to its principles but rather by acting efficiently in cases of alleged eruptions of national, racial and religious hatred and intolerance, when law should be applied.
