A/HRC/23/15/ 18. The education system did not allow differences in the education of children with development difficulties and disabilities or of other children. An inclusive education concept had been developed; the Law on the Fundamental Principles of Education and Upbringing gave persons with development difficulties and disabilities, regardless of their material conditions, the opportunity to access all levels of education in institutions. On average, 120 students with disabilities were granted scholarships each year. 19. The Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities (2009) had introduced, for any employer having at least 20 employees, the obligation to employ persons with disabilities. The procedure for the adoption of the Law on Social Entrepreneurship and Employment at Social Enterprises had also been initiated. 20. The Law on Planning and Construction (2009) stipulated that public and business premises must be accessible by persons with disabilities, children and the elderly. 21. The National Councils of National Minorities were an organizational form of minority self-government and constitutional category. The Law on National Councils of National Minorities transferred to those institutions several State competences concerning official use of language and script, education, information and culture. The Law facilitated, for the first time, the direct election of members of national councils for 16 national minorities. Three national minorities elected their national councils through an electoral assembly; the Executive Board of the Federation of the Jewish Communities performed functions of a national council pursuant to the Law; and Albanian, Czech, Ashkali and Slovene national councils had been elected for the first time. Funds for national councils were provided from State, provincial and local self-government budgets; the State budget had allocated €2.2 million for 2012 and €2.3 million for 2013. 22. The Government had established the Council for Advancement of Roma (2008), the Strategy for the Advancement of the Status of Roma (2009) and the related Plan of Action (2010) covering 13 key areas. Under the Law on the Fundamental Principles of Education and Upbringing and the Law on Students’ and Pupils’ Standard, affirmative action for Roma pupils and students was being implemented in the areas of enrolment, the granting of scholarships, and loan advancement, including free and compulsory pre-primary education and the introduction of pedagogical assistants. The percentage of Roma enrolled in secondary schools had risen from 8.3 per cent in 2004 to almost 20 per cent in 2010. Affirmative action also applied to the enrolment of Roma applicants at universities. The National Employment Strategy (2011-2020) referred to the upgrading of human capital and greater social inclusion of socially excluded individuals and groups, including Roma. The National Employment Plan of Action for 2013 defined them as less employable persons. The National Strategy on Social Housing (2012) envisaged special measures related to informal Roma settlements. The City of Belgrade, together with international donors, had introduced a social housing programme mostly targeting Roma; the programme was under way and funds needed to be secured. 23. The anti-discrimination law and the Labour Law explicitly prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. The conference on combating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (2012) was the first conference organized by the State on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. 24. Amendments to the Criminal Code (2009) had introduced stricter penalties for human trafficking, especially when committed against minors. The new Strategy for the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking (2013–2018) and the related Plan of Action (2013–2014) had been prepared. Assistance to victims of trafficking was provided by State institutions and NGOs. In 2012 the Government had established the Centre for the Protection of Victims of Trafficking. As part of the social welfare system, victims of trafficking were afforded a variety of assistance. 5

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents