UPR Sexual Rights Database

National Report Annex:
Starting from the obligations of the state provided for by the Istanbul Convention as well as the measures provided for in the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Prevention and Protection against Discrimination, CBGE initiated the adoption of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Suppression of Domestic and Intimate Partnership Violence against Women and Girls for the period 2017-2020. For the analysis of the previous strategy and development of a new one, as well as for the implementation of numerous awareness-raising activities, the necessary funding was provided by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) within the project "Integrated Response to Violence against Women and Girls II". The project began in July 2016 and will last until July 2018, with a total value of $ 940,000. The project has been implemented in cooperation with all UN agencies in Serbia and relevant line ministries. Its implementation will contribute to the further development of the social and institutional environment in Serbia with zero tolerance for violence.
In order to encourage women to report cases of domestic and sexual violence by raising awareness about the criminal nature of such actions, the Ministry of Justice organized a national media campaign of raising awareness called "Off Violence".
The Provincial Secretariat for Health Care, in partnership with the Women's Support Centre from Kikinda, has been implementing a three-year project, "Stop - Protect - Help", since January 2016. The project is intended for women in the situation of violence and potential victims, professionals in all sectors at all levels of authority, women's organizations and the entire population on the territory of the province.
The Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence provides for mandatory specialized training for representatives of the competent authorities (police, public prosecution, court). The training program is prepared by the Judicial Academy which also conducts training of judges, public prosecutors and deputy public prosecutors, while the training of competent police officers is conducted by the Criminal Police Academy. From February to May 2017, 410 police officers from 27 police departments and from the MoI headquarters were trained.
Within the Republic Institute for Social Protection, several training programs on the topic of domestic violence have been accredited, which are intended for professional workers employed in social protection institutions (CSW and institutions for accommodation of beneficiaries).

UN Compilation:
Para 56) The UN country team noted that girls and women in Serbia were still frequently exposed to gender-based violence, such as violence in family and partner relationships, sexual harassment and rape.
Para 57) The UN country team noted the adoption in 2016 of a law on the prevention of domestic violence, as well as amendments to provisions of the Criminal Code on rape and related non-consensual sex, stalking, sexual harassment, forced marriage and genital mutilation.
Para 58) CEDAW remained concerned about the increasing number of women murdered by their husbands, ex-husbands or partners and the significant disparity among the number of police interventions, the number of criminal charges filed and the number of persons convicted of domestic violence against women.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 8) POC stated that the protection of women against violence was not efficient enough.
Para 58) JS4 underscored the high number of women murdered in the context of domestic and intimate partner violence. It asserted that the State had no system for monitoring and analysing this phenomenon, a new National Strategy to prevent all forms of violence against women 2016-2020 had not been adopted, and a systematic approach to combatting stereotypes and discrimination of women, promotion of gender equality and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in the education system, had not been established.

National Report Annex:
Aiming for a safe “Pride Parade 2014” public event, good cooperation was achieved with the representatives of the organizational committee of this event. After successful preparations the above event passed safely, along with numerous events held as part of Pride Week 2014. Pride and the first gathering of trans* persons were held on 20 September 2015.
One of the priorities in 2016 was the status of trans* persons in society and the walk through the centre of Belgrade, held on 25 June 2016, passed without incident and with minimum security. The third Pride Parade was successfully organized on 18 September 2016, with attendees including representatives of international organizations and state institutions. The International Day against Homophobia was celebrated not only in Belgrade, but also Niš, Novi Sad, Novi Pazar, Subotica, Pančevo and Kragujevac.
The Pride weekend and Pride Parade were held on 23-25 June 2017.
These activities are being continuously implemented.

UN Compilation:
Para 13) … The UN country team asserted that, regarding the recommendations made during the previous review on the right to peaceful assembly of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, Belgrade had successfully held annual pride events in three consecutive years (2014-2016).

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 20) CoE stated that CoE-Commissioner, while acknowledging the progress made in advancing the rights of LGBTI persons, noted that homophobia and discrimination against them persisted.

National Report Annex:
The Government of the Republic of Serbia formed the Council for Implementation of the Recommendations of the UN Human Rights Mechanisms in 2014. This body aims to efficiently monitor the recommendations and improve intersectoral cooperation with the aim of their implementation and strengthening of cooperation with UN mechanisms.
The Council drafted a plan for compliance with all recommendations issued to Serbia, with a status, goal, deadlines and bodies competent for the implementation of each individual recommendation, including the recommendations of UN treaty bodies and recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review.
The work of the Council is based on two key principles: Inclusion and transparency. Inclusion means that the work of the Council involves, in addition to executive authority bodies and the competent committees of the National Assembly of RS, independent bodies, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders. Transparency involves openness and honesty in the process. The Council represents a forum for discussion, and provides an opportunity for the improvement of communication and cooperation both among executive authorities, as well as between executive authorities and other stakeholders.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 20) CoE stated that CoE-Commissioner, while acknowledging the progress made in advancing the rights of LGBTI persons, noted that homophobia and discrimination against them persisted.

National Report Annex:
In accordance with the Rulebook on the contents and method of submitting the Plan of measures for eliminating or mitigating the unequal representation of sexes and the annual report on its implementation to the competent ministry, the Ministry of Labour received 428 plans and reports by businesses in 2016, and another 409 by 31 March 2017.
During 2015 labour inspectors completed 3,157 cases of supervision over the application of the Gender Equality Law, and adopted two decisions to eliminate deficiencies. Employers were ordered to adopt a Plan of measures for eliminating the unequal representation of sexes, as well as to rectify their records on the gender structure of employees.
One deposition was made to the Labour Inspectorate in 2015 regarding a violation of the Gender Equality Law. During 2016, labour inspectors completed 1,632 cases of supervision over the application of the Gender Equality Law, and found no irregularities.
Due to the need of harmonizing the existing Gender Equality Law with the European Union regulations and standards, work is under way on a new draft Law on Gender Equality.
Activities aimed at implementing the recommendation are being continuously implemented.

National Report:
Para 101) The Coordination Body for Gender Equality, which is headed by a Deputy Prime Minister, since its establishment in 2014 has undertaken a number of activities with the aim of improving the status of women and gender equality.
Para 102) After 2016 parliamentary and local elections, a woman was appointed as the Speaker of the National Assembly, and 34.54% of MPs are women. The percentage is similar in every city and municipal assembly.
Para 103) After the presidential election of May 2017 changes occurred in the Government. For the first time, a woman was appointed Prime Minister of Serbia. Out of 21 ministers, four are women, one of them is a Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Coordination Body for Gender Equality. Five women are presidents of administrative districts, and 12 are mayors.
Para 104) There are more than 100 local bodies for gender equality.
Para 105) Regulations applied in local government bodies and the autonomous provincial government bodies enable equal access to jobs for both genders. The 2015 Law on the Budget System introduced a gender-sensitive budgeting and an obligation that all budget
beneficiaries must apply it by 2020 at the latest.
Para 106) Since February 2016, the Republic of Serbia has used the EU gender equality index in six fields: distribution of time, money, work, knowledge, power, health and in two subfields: violence against women and inter-sectoral differences. According to indicators, gender equality index for the Republic of Serbia is 40.60%.
Para 107) The Government has adopted a National Strategy for Gender Equality in February 201622 for the period 2016–2020 with the Action Plan for the period 2016–2018.
Para 108) The National Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 – Women, Peace and Security in the Republic of Serbia (2017–2020) – was adopted on May 19, 2017. The second National Action Plan includes a greater number of actors with the focus on the implementation of reforms at the local level.
Para 111) Of a total number of state employees, 62.4% are women, there are 53.23% of women in leadership positions, and 45% of state officials are women. …

UN Compilation:
Para 59) The UN country team stated that deep-rooted stereotypes persisted in Serbia and that there was a recent trend of re-establishing traditional roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society, which undermined women’s social status, participation in public life and professional careers.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 60) JS4 indicated that there were municipalities which had not established equality mechanisms.

National Report Annex:
In 2016, the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office established a working group to develop a General Obligatory Instruction on the manner of conduct of the Information and Support Service for the victims and witnesses in the prosecutor`s offices in order to improve the provision of these services in accordance with international standards. In addition, within this project the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office participated in preparation of the Manual on communication with witnesses and victims in the work of the public prosecutor's offices.
During 2016, representatives of the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office continued to cooperate with the OSCE Mission in the Republic of Serbia on the project "Support for the Establishment of a National Support Scheme for Victims and Witnesses in the Republic of Serbia".
Activities aimed at implementing the recommendation are being continuously implemented.

UN Compilation:
Para 56) The UN country team noted that girls and women in Serbia were still frequently exposed to gender-based violence, such as violence in family and partner relationships, sexual harassment and rape.
Para 57) The UN country team noted the adoption in 2016 of a law on the prevention of domestic violence, as well as amendments to provisions of the Criminal Code on rape and related non-consensual sex, stalking, sexual harassment, forced marriage and genital mutilation.
Para 58) CEDAW remained concerned about the increasing number of women murdered by their husbands, ex-husbands or partners and the significant disparity among the number of police interventions, the number of criminal charges filed and the number of persons convicted of domestic violence against women.

Stakeholder Summary:
Para 8) POC stated that the protection of women against violence was not efficient enough.
Para 58) JS4 underscored the high number of women murdered in the context of domestic and intimate partner violence. It asserted that the State had no system for monitoring and analysing this phenomenon, a new National Strategy to prevent all forms of violence against women 2016-2020 had not been adopted, and a systematic approach to combatting stereotypes and discrimination of women, promotion of gender equality and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls in the education system, had not been established.