Campaign “Differences are not a barrier. For a society without discrimination”

Combating discrimination and prejudice about those who are “different” is in focus of the public campaign “Differences are not a barrier. For a society without discrimination”, which was launched on 1st December 2017 in the European House in Zagreb. This is the final activity of the project “Mind the Gap”,  jointly implemented by the Croatian Government’s Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities, Office of the Ombudswoman and Centre for Peace Studies.

The campaign puts in focus persons who, according to their ethnicity, represent a minority, and through short insights into their lives indicates that the differences are not a barrier and that a society we build together is one without discrimination. These messages will be reaching the citizens in the course of December via video, audio spots and posters.

„Timing of the campaign is not random; we link it with the International Human Rights Day (10th December), marking the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights” said Bahrija Sejfić, Assistant Head of the Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities of the Croatian Government.

According to recent surveys, every fifth person in Croatia was discriminated against. The majority respondents state that nationality and ethnic origin is a most frequent incentive for discrimination, and that the most targeted group are Roma people. The same survey also revealed deep prejudice and stereotypes towards persons who, by any characteristic, may be treated as “different” and such attitudes may lead to discrimination.

„With this campaign we want to send a clear message that race or ethnic origin, as well as any other characteristic which may mark someone as “different”, must not be a barrier for obtaining the rights and equal participation in the society”, claimed Tena Šimonović Einwalter, Deputy Ombudswoman.

„We want a society in which Valentina, a girl brought up in a Roma settlement, shall not be an exception while studying management in tourism. We want a society as seen by the children from a folklore group in which Gabriel, whose father is of African origin, is dancing in”, emphasised Cvijeta Senta from CMS, while presenting all the protagonists of the campaign. Besides Gabrijel and Valentina, there is also Orhan, a musician and hairdresser of Roma origin as well as the choir Domaćigosti, composed of refugees who sought security in Croatia.

Launch of the campaign also corresponds with the adoption of the National Plan for Combating Discrimination for the period 2017-2022, including operational activities, which shall play a significant role in eliminating prejudices and building of a society without discrimination.

Posters and photos of the campaign are available here: http://bit.ly/FotoBezDiskriminacije

And video spots here: http://bit.ly/VideoBezDiskriminacije