Discrimination and Violence against LGBT Population in Serbia

Labris

13 March 2007

Two thirds (65%) of persons polled for the public opinion survey organized by Labris Organization for Lesbian Human Rights said they have experienced violence motivated by their sexual orientation. Only ten percent of them reported the violence to the authorities, says the annual US Department of State 2006 Human Rights Report on Serbia.

The Report also recorded violence and discrimination against same-sex oriented persons in areas of employment and education, and that LGBT population is subjected to threats, hate speech and physical violence. The Report also notes that, although Broadcasting Law strictly forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, there were instances of hate speech against persons oriented towards the same sex in the media.

For instance, the Report lists the case of �Piramida� show, broadcast on Pink TV, February 26, 2006, in which Uros Suvakovic, high ranking SPS official, said that �being gay is manifestation of social pathology and essentially decadent�, and indirectly noted that gays and lesbians should not be allowed into the diplomatic service. Labris reacted after the show with petition submitted to the National Broadcasting Agency.

The State Department�s Report also emphasizes the new Criminal Code, entered into force on January 1, 2006, that equalizes the necessary minimal age to enter sexual relations, regardless whether these are heterosexual or homosexual relationships.