Government of the Republic of Serbia
The Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit of the Government of the Republic of Serbia has published the analysis “Status of Vulnerable Groups in the Process of Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union – Status of Roma”.
The publication was prepared as part of an initiative for drafting an analytical review of the status of vulnerable groups in the context of EU accession started by SIPRU with the following objectives:
- To increase the visibility of the challenges faced by vulnerable social groups in the Republic of Serbia;
- To inform stakeholders on current processes in the development of the strategic and legislative framework in the field of social inclusion;
- To promote a dialogue and cooperation in meeting the obligations under the process of Serbia’s accession to the EU in the field of social inclusion.
The series of informative analytical situation overviews on the status of vulnerable groups in the context of meeting the obligations in the process of European integration is intended for a broad circle of stakeholders: decision makers, state administration and staff in local self-government units, development partners, civil society organisations, the academic community, and journalists.
The situation overview covers the following vulnerable groups: Roma, persons with disabilities, LGBTI, women, children, the elderly, youth, national minorities, migrants and asylum seekers, and persons living with HIV. The first analysis is related to the status of Roma in the process of European integration.
The content of the analysis “Status of Vulnerable Groups in the Process of Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union – Status of Roma” provides a broad analytical reflection on the status of the Roma from the aspect of compliance with obligations under the process of the accession of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union (EU). First, it describes the EU legislative framework in this regard, and notes the specifics of the status of the Roma population in the Republic of Serbia compared to the overall population and EU countries. The analysis also provides a reflection on the current strategic, institutional and legislative framework in the Republic of Serbia regarding the regulation of the status of Roma. It presents evaluations and obligations of the Republic of Serbia in the process of EU accession, particularly in the context of negotiation chapters 19 (Social Policy and Employment) and 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), and through the standpoint of the Progress Report (now Country Report) and measures related to improving the status of Roma. Finally, the analysis also defines recommendations related to improving the status of Roma in the Republic of Serbia.
The key findings of the brief analysis note that Serbia is harmonised to a certain extent with EU policy regarding improvements to the status of Roma, but it is necessary to undertake further activities aimed at implementing existing, and adopting new relevant legislative and strategic documents, and improving the efficiency of work of established mechanisms for coordination, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of strategic goals and measures defined by the Strategy on the Social Inclusion of Roma. In addition to the above, as part of the process of European integration, Serbia should make use of the opportunity to establish effective instruments for monitoring social welfare policies, such as MISSOC and ESSPROS that exist at the EU level.
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