The number of interethnic incidents in Serbia has greatly declined over the past six years and they have been reduced to sporadic cases perpetrated by individuals, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said in Belgrade on Nov. 18.

In January October this year, 173 interethnic and religious incidents were registered, against 220 in the same period of 2009, Dacic said at a conference on the fight against discrimination in Serbia.

Citing a report by the U.S. State Department, according to which the rights of minority religious communities in Serbia are not fully protected, Dacic said the police are doing everything in their power to protect the rights and safety of all citizens.

U.N. Resident Coordinator William Infante said that Serbia has done much in the battle against discrimination and that improvements in the field are evident in everyday life.