OSCE Mission announces 2011 ‘People of the Year’ awards

BELGRADE, 14 December 2011 – In recognition of the contribution made by Serbia’s independent agencies and bodies in protecting and advancing human rights, equality, government accountability and citizens’ participation in the country, the heads of three institutions will receive the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s “People of the Year” awards at a ceremony in Belgrade today.

“A fully functioning democracy is not only based on the consent of citizens, but also on government accountability and the right to participate. The significant work carried out by your offices embodies these ideas, making a decisive contribution to the daily lives of Serbia’s citizens,” said Ambassador Dimitrios Kypreos, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

“It is the moment to recognize our winners’ excellent service to the Serbian public and contribution in the fields of human and equality rights and participatory democracy,” added Kypreos.

The winners are:

Saša Janković, the Protector of Citizens awarded for his efforts in protecting citizens’ rights and investigating maladministration by public authorities or institutions.

Nevena Petrušić, the Commissioner for Protection of Equality, awarded for her contribution to preventing discrimination, protecting the equality of all citizens and promoting anti-discrimination legislation

Rodoljub Šabić, the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, awarded for his consistent contribution to ensuring transparency in the work of public institutions in accordance with the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance.

Organized for the sixth consecutive year, these awards recognize distinguished individuals who have contributed to furthering the understanding and implementation of OSCE values in Serbia in their work.