European Commission Report for 2025: No Progress in Improving the Situation of LGBT+ People in Serbia
The European Commission’s Report (often called the Progress Report) is a document published annually by the European Commission for each country that is a candidate or potential candidate for membership in the European Union. Among other things, it assesses the progress made in improving the rights of LGBT+ people. Here is what the Report says about Serbia:
- Need for Improved Legal Protection of Queer People
Serbia needs to consistently implement strategic measures on combating discrimination and strengthening the rights of LGBTIQ persons, who continued to face high levels of discrimination
- Law on Same-Sex Unions and Law on Gender Identity and the Rights of Intersex Persons – Still No Progress
There were no developments on the draft law on same-sex partnerships, nor on the regulation of legal gender recognition, as already planned in the previous anti-discrimination strategy. Serbia needs to align with the EU acquis and ECtHR case law in this area.
- Transgender People Still Face Difficulties Obtaining Documents in Line with Their Gender Identity
Difficulties remain, especially in smaller municipalities, in implementing amendments to the Law on birth registry, which enable data on gender changes to be entered into the registry.
- Existing Laws Are Not Being Enforced
The implementation of legislation combating hate crime, including on grounds of sexual orientation, remains inadequate. LGBTIQ persons, and in particular transgender persons, are vulnerable to hate speech, violence, abuse and discrimination. Due to a lack of trust in institutions and fear of secondary victimisation, cases of violence and discrimination towards LGBTIQ persons are often unreported. Intersex persons remain invisible both socially and legally.
