The basic human rights of marginalised groups in South East Europe are violated and they are marginalised and discriminated. Stigmatisation in the society is strong and incorporated in cultural patterns.
The most frequent cases of discrimination are related to stigmatization in various respects, the relationship between the police and the judicial system (including the right to information in criminal proceedings), the protection of personal data, basic and specific health care, social protection, the right to education, employment and many other areas of life which should be available to every person.
DPNSEE, with the support of its member organisations, launched a survey to document cases of discrimination of drug users and connected vulnerable and marginalised groups and produce an analysis of the findings. The document was presented at the at the Kick-off event of the Support. Don’t Punish campaign on 26 June 2019. The survey indicated different forms of discrimination. It will serve as basis for additional actions on safeguarding human rights of affected groups.
The document is currently available only in Serbian following this link>>>.
As the pre-task activity for the Workshop in scope of the No risk, no borders for young people project, selected young activists have documented cases of discrimination youth from groups at increased risk in their local communities.
At the end of the Workshop, the project partners have agreed to prepare a publication with analysis of the cases of discrimination. This document presents the results of this analysis.
The research in question was conducted in May 2021. In total, 50 questionnaires about cases of discrimination towards youths with alternative identities or lifestyles have been collected from four countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania). The discrimination cases were supplied by five non-governmental organizations that are members of DPNSEE (Drug Policy Network in South East Europe) – ReGeneration, Aksion Plus, Prevent, Margina and Juventas, and the organization Puž.
Due to the relatively small sample of questionnaires, this research cannot provide any reliable conclusions. It can therefore be considered exploratory, and will have the aim of mapping out some of the more common forms of discrimination and violence encountered by young people with alternative identities and/or lifestyles in south-eastern European countries. This analysis strive to shed light on key areas and topics for further research and action regarding the position, discrimination and (lack of) exercising of rights of these social groups.
The publication “Documenting cases of discrimination of youth at risk in Western Balkans” is available following this link>>>.