On the occasion of the celebration of the World Environment Day, the Protector of Citizens, Zoran Pasalic, reminded of the importance of the constitutionally guaranteed right to a healthy environment and the need for greater commitment of both the public authorities and all citizens together, in order to ensure healthy living conditions and improve their qualities.
Previous addresses of citizens to the Protector of Citizens indicate that citizens are plagued by constant problems in this area such as noise, air and water pollution, unpleasant odours and waste, but also that citizens are still not sufficiently aware of the importance of a healthy environment in which they live.
In accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, everyone has the right to a healthy environment and to timely and complete information about its condition. Interested citizens have the right to participate in decision-making procedures, as well as to legal protection in the area of ecology. However, the precondition for the participation of citizens is raising environmental awareness, which is a process that is still slow in our country. On the other hand, greater involvement of public authorities, setting the most important goals and allocating additional budget funds for this purpose would significantly contribute to solving the biggest problems in this area.
It is important to also emphasize that the right to a healthy environment also implies the obligation of us all to protect and improve it. We are all equally responsible for the quality of the environment in which we live and therefore we must all be equally aware of the consequences of our activities on the environment, and strive, as much as possible, to reduce all harmful effects. Only in this way will we provide and enable a dignified life and well-being, both for present and for future generations, emphasizes Pasalic.
The Protector of Citizens will continue to take all necessary measures in order to protect the right to a healthy environment and raise general awareness of the importance of preserving and protecting the environment in which we all live together.