PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT OF WORLD ROMA ORGANIZATION AND AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE JOVAN DAMJANOVIC ON THE INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

̋The Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10th worldwide. The date was chosen in honor of the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10th, 1948. Not only one day should celebrate it. Every day must be in the spirit of mutual respect and respect for diversity.̋ - said the President of the Wold Roma Organization and Ambassador for Peace Jovan Damjanovic, at yesterday's session on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day.

̋This Universal Declaration, voted by the United Nations, should serve as a Bible that constantly reminds that everyone's rights are the same and guaranteed, not depending on nationality, ideological and religious affiliation, as well as social and cultural.

Understanding and respect for cultural and national diversity is the basis for the recognition and establishment of the rule of all human rights. Initiative, dialogue, good will, all of those are items without which there is no possibility for a democratic arrangement equal for all.

We are now in the process of the Roma Decade. It is intensively focused on affirmation of the identity of the Roma, improvement of their position structurally and culturally. Our goal is to have Roma employed, with rights to work and rights on housing, socially secured, less poor, more educated and prepared for the future.

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted an Action plan for the Roma and Roma Inclusion until 2025, therefore I believe that this strategy will be firmly enforced, as we have firmly committed ourselves to not abandoning it.̋ - said the President of the Wold Roma Organization and Ambassador for Peace Jovan Damjanovic.

Belgrade, December 12th, 2017

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