CoE Human Rights Commissioner on Homophobia in Serbia

Commissioner Hammarberg's preface for "This is Our Country", the 2008 report on LGBT human rights in Serbia by Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)

CoE Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg wrote a preface for the 2008 report on the state of human rights for LGBT persons in Serbia by LGBT advocacy group Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

The Commissioner's preface was published as part of the GSA's overview of the report issued as a supplement in Belgrade's daily Blic on Feb 25, titled "This is Our Country".

"During my missions to Council of Europe Member States I am often confronted by the discrimination, prejudices and intolerance that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities face.

Serbia is not an exception in that regard. I have met human rights defenders advocating for the rights of LGBT people and trying to sensitise the wider population. They are in a vulnerable position and the target of many unfortunate incidents of violence, threats, including verbal, physical and psychological abuse.

The present report provides an overview of the level of homophobia in Serbia. The report gives reasons for concern as it indicates a far-reaching negative perception of LGBT persons in Serbia, with 70% of the persons interviewed considering homosexuality as a sickness, and only 8% considering Pride Parades" as a legitimate way of seeking equal rights for LGBT persons. Even more worrying is that only 38% of persons consider homosexuals as "the same as anyone else".

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people have the same rights as others. The agreed international human rights standards apply to them as much as to others but the prejudices in this area are very deep and advocacy against homophobia is clearly not opportune.

This underlines the importance of broader and more systematic education and awareness efforts and more principled positions by leading politicians. I therefore welcome the publication of this study and hope it will contribute to less homophobia and transphobia in Serbia. "