On September 1, in Belgrade, High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova met with Protector (Ombudsman) of the Citizens of the Republic of Serbia Zoran Pasalić.

Zoran Pasalić told about the new draft law, which provides for empowering the Ombudsman in the field of protecting the rights of children, disabled people, as well as increasing the term of office to 8 years. According to the current legislation, the Serbian Ombudsman can execute his powers for no more than two terms, each of which is 5 years, and the new version of the law provides for only one eight-year term. The amendments to the law are in accordance with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, which recommends a term for the Ombudsman of at least 7 years. The Serbian Parliament plans to adopt the relevant amendments in October this year.

On the eve of the Russian elections in the fall of 2021, the High Commissioner invited the Protector (Ombudsman) of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia as an expert to take part in monitoring the observance of electoral rights of citizens, as well as in the International Scientific and Practical Conference, which will be held at the House of Human Rights this fall.

In conclusion, the participants of the meeting discussed the current activities of the Eurasian Ombudsman Alliance. On October 13, a regular meeting of the Alliance will take place, which will be devoted to the protection of the rights of women and youth.

Interaction between the Protector (Ombudsman) of Republic of Serbia Zoran Pasalić and High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation Tatiana Moskalkova is carried out on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation dated November 9, 2018.