On 19 October, to mark Prevention of Violence Against Children Day, the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Predrag Markovic, met children from Vranje, Subotica, Prijepolje, Zrenjanin, Smederevska Palanka, and Vranje, at Assembly House.

Addressing the visitors, Mr Markovic said that adults were aware of the problem posed by violence against children, but that it must be prevented by broad action on the part of the entire society. ‘Poverty and ignorance are the main causes of violence against children; they themselves turn cruel because of the violence surrounding them. That is why each one of us must do something to stop violence; we must all be partners in implementing such actions, but they will be to no avail unless the foundations and mechanisms of a system to protect children are set up.’

‘The National Assembly,’ Markovic went on to say, ‘has an important role in this process’. He cited a large number of laws that have been passed; the fact that the highest legislative document – the new Constitution – could be proclaimed soon, and a law on the ‘children’ ombudsman’ is expected to be passed. The National Assembly’s doors are open to children and the young, who should be involved more in the decision-making process, Markovic concluded.

The children’s delegation told Markovic about the Study on Violence Against Children, adopted by the United Nations, and how children from Serbia took an active part in the drafting of the document. The Study details recommendations about what all countries should do to prevent violence against children globally.

The chairperson of the Children’s Rights Sub-Committee, Zivodarka Dacin, emphasised that the Gender Equality Committee of this National Assembly convocation had formed the Sub-Committee, and expressed her hope that it would soon turn into a full Committee, which would result in children being involved in legislative activity and the creation of a future that would be tailored to their needs.