The Opra Roma Serbia movement expresses its concern, deep disappointment and indignation regarding the statement of Živorad Ajdačić at the session of the Committee for Culture and Information of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia held on January 23, 2025, the statement of this organization reads.
They state that at that session, "on the occasion of the election of the members of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media (REM), Mr. Ajdačić commented on the negative sides of the last convocation of REM and as one of those negatives he commented with the question: Is it possible for us to have a show on in the gypsy language at 19 pm?"
The term is offensive.
Opre Roma says that "this statement represents an unacceptable act of belittling the Roma language and culture, as well as open disrespect towards the Roma community, which has been an integral part of Serbian society for centuries. By using the term 'Gypsy', Mr. Ajdacic used an expression that is offensive, discriminatory and rejected in any civilized discourse."
"We remind you that the name of our language is Romani, which is clearly defined in the relevant laws and international documents ratified by the Republic of Serbia, including the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages." The Romani language is one of the languages of national minorities in Serbia, recognized and protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Freedoms of National Minorities. Broadcasting programs in the Romani language is not a privilege, but a right arising from the legal obligations of our country and international standards."
They point out that "they are particularly concerned that the candidates for REM members, the body whose main role is to ensure respect for the principles of pluralism and equality in the electronic media, remained silent on such a comment, as well as the National Assembly, which carried out the candidate selection process." It is they, as future members of REM, who should be the first to condemn any form of hate speech and discrimination, especially in the context of public space and the media."
REM is also financed by our money
They remind that REM is financed from the budget of the Republic of Serbia, that is, from the funds of all citizens, including members of the Roma community.
"As taxpayers, we cannot allow the body that should ensure pluralism and equality in the media to insult and discriminate us in this way." Such behavior is unacceptable in a democratic society."
That is why they are asking the National Assembly of Serbia to publicly condemn the statement of Živorad Ajdačić, to exclude him from the further selection process for REM members, to dismiss him from the position of general secretary of the Cultural and Educational Community of Belgrade and acting general secretary of the Cultural and Educational Community of Serbia, to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Živorad Ajdačić, as if to introduce the obligation of regular reporting by REM to the National Assembly and the public on the implementation of activities that promote equality and pluralism, with with a special focus on minority languages and communities.
