The Protector of Citizens determined that the Ministry of Interior did not initiate disciplinary proceedings against police officers pursuant to the Report of the Internal Control Sector, and that in the meantime, the statute of limitations for initiating disciplinary proceedings against the responsible police officers in Novi Sad and the then Chief of Police in Novi Sad has become obsolete.

The failure of the competent civil servants of the Ministry of Interior to take actions, aimed at determining the disciplinary responsibility of the police officers whose omissions in work were determined by the inspections undertaken by the Internal Control Sector, makes the existence of internal control over the legality of police work meaningless, because it is not and it cannot be its own purpose. The purpose of the existence of internal control of the work of the authority is to perform timely, detailed and efficient checks within the authority regarding the actions of its employees, in order to correct the identified omissions, if possible, and/or sanction them in accordance with the law, thus improving the work of the authority.

The Protector of Citizens pointed out the need to take the necessary actions to prevent such actions in the future and thus contribute to building a culture of combating illegality and responsibility for illegal and improper actions, and issued a recommendation to the Ministry of Interior that in its future work, it ensures compliance with the measures imposed in the report of the Internal Control Sector and to take care that the statute of limitations for initiating disciplinary proceedings against the responsible police officers does not become obsolete. This implies an active relationship in terms of monitoring and controlling the actions of the competent police officers, competent disciplinary officers, in implementing the measures ordered by the Internal Control Sector and initiating disciplinary proceedings for failure to act on the imposed measures.

On his own initiative, and on the basis of information and knowledge from the media, the Protector of Citizens launched a control investigation into the legality and regularity of the work of the Centre for Social Work in Novi Pazar and the Ministry of Interior.

The investigation refers to the tragedy that happened on 17th April 2022 in Novi Pazar, in which one person died.

Considering that, according to the media, there have been previous reports of domestic violence regarding the person who died, the Protector of Citizens asked the Centre for Social Work to submit a report within 15 days on whether they were aware of the family situation in this family, whether there were reports of violence and whether they were considered by the Coordination and Cooperation Group, with special reference to the measures and actions that the Centre, in cooperation with other authorities, may have taken to provide adequate support and protection to potential victims of domestic violence.

The Protector of Citizens asked the Ministry of Interior to submit a detailed report on the actions of the competent police administration in this specific case within 15 days, especially about the activities carried out by police officers in this case and the possible cooperation achieved with the CSW, the prosecutor's office and other authorities on previous reports of domestic violence, if they were submitted. In particular, it is necessary for them to indicate whether the police officers acted in accordance with the obligations prescribed by the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence and the General and Special Protocol for the Protection of Women against Violence within the Family and Intimate Partner Relations.

After receiving the answers from these institutions, the Protector of Citizens will decide on further actions.

The Protector of Citizens, in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – Association of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia, for the sixth time in a row, presents awards to cities, municipalities and city municipalities that in 2021 contributed the most to the development of all forms of accessibility on their territory, i.e., in their environment.

In a letter sent to municipalities, cities and city municipalities today, the Protector of Citizens called on the local self-government units to submit an application to the Public Invitation and thus present and promote examples of good practice in the development of accessibility in their territories in 2021.

The Protector of Citizens reminds that, in an effort to achieve a more inclusive society in Serbia, the award for accessibility was created as an expression of the need to point out the steps of individuals and/or institutions in creating examples of good practice that contribute to the quality of life, serve as a model, inspiration and an idea for all, and as such, are very important for improving the position of persons with disabilities. At the same time, the award aims to continuously raise awareness and send a strong message about the importance of accessibility, promoting the principle of Design for All and creating environments and services that can be used by all citizens, that is, an inclusive environment accessible to all.

Protector of Citizens, Zoran Pašalić, congratulated Easter to all citizens of Serbia who celebrate this Christian holiday according to the Gregorian calendar with the desire for them to celebrate it in peace, happiness and prosperity with their loved ones.

On that occasion, Pašalić pointed out that Easter is a holiday of peace and tolerance, and said that it is necessary to build a society based on mutual understanding, respect and appreciation of diversity and solidarity every day, and especially in times of great challenges, global economic crisis and the growing apathy.