Zigmanov: The situation in Kosovo is unsustainable, with a high level of human rights violations against Serbs

Minister for Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue of Serbia, Tomislav Zigmanov, met today with members of the delegation from the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, led by Yang Xiaobo.

The discussion focused on the policies that both countries are developing towards national minorities, according to a statement from the Ministry.

Zigmanov highlighted the high level of violations of basic human rights against the Serbian and other non-Albanian populations in Kosovo, emphasizing that Serbia is doing everything possible, through efforts in the international community, to draw attention to what he described as an unsustainable situation.

He presented the key principles underlying Serbia’s policy towards national minorities, stating that it is based on the policy of positive recognition and positive valuation of ethnic and religious differences.

He explained that these policies are founded on the view that national minorities are a source of wealth, not a danger, risk, or threat.

At the core of this policy is a humanist approach that values each individual as inviolable, the minister added.

He stressed that Serbia is a state for all its citizens, striving to achieve equality and fairness regardless of religious or ethnic background, pursuing a policy of equal opportunities for all and a policy of zero tolerance for discrimination.

Zigmanov explained to the Chinese delegation how national minorities in Serbia exercise their rights guaranteed by international conventions and national legislation. He emphasized that specific policies are developed for minorities, which vary in size, territorial dispersion, infrastructure development, or status, in order to meet their specific needs.

Yang Xiaobo, head of the Chinese delegation, emphasized that China supports Serbia's stance on this issue and fully stands behind Serbia in preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty over Kosovo.

Yang Xiaobo presented the main principles of China's policy towards national minorities, who make up 8.5% of the total population. He noted that some of China’s national minorities number over 10 million people and added that equality for all, cooperation among ethnic communities, autonomous governance, building prosperity for all members of society, and fostering unity among all who live in China are the key principles underlying China’s minority policy.