Regarding the claims of possible pressure, blackmail and vote buying of members of the Roma national community in the election process, it is important to discuss these issues responsibly and based on facts. If there is information about illegal actions, they should be reported to the competent institutions, because buying votes is a criminal offense, announced the commissioner for the protection of equality, Milan Antonijević.
He added that in the public space it is necessary to take care of the way in which assessments and claims are presented.
“The statements of Srđan Shajn, the president of the Roma Party, about the alleged purchase of more than 100,000 Roma votes, presented without clear data and methodology, can lead to wrong conclusions and create a distorted image of the Roma community,” Antonijević said.
As he added, although the socioeconomic position of individual citizens can increase their exposure to various pressures, such circumstances cannot be attributed to the entire community nor must they be the basis for generalizations.
The Commissioner for the Protection of Equality reminds that in public speech it is especially important to avoid statements that may contribute to stigmatization, prejudice or violation of the dignity of members of any national minority.
“In a society that is already burdened with divisions, irresponsible and unverified claims can further deepen tensions and lead to discrimination and targeting of entire communities. That is why it is necessary for public actors to base their statements on verifiable facts and to contribute to dialogue with their performances, not to the deepening of stereotypes and social divisions”, emphasized Antonijević.
