800 years of Magna Carta marked in Serbia
Embassy marked 800 years since the sealing of Magna Carta with several thematic events, from LiberTea to the Queen’s Birthday party.
The sealing of Magna Carta at Runnymede 800 years ago was one of the first steps towards establishing democracy and the rule of law in the UK. Its story has inspired far beyond the UK’s borders: the principles it enshrines – equality before the law, limits to the arbitrary exercise of power, due and fair process for citizens – are more relevant today than ever before.
Her Majesty’s Ambassador Denis Keefe hosted on 8 June a “#LiberTea” event at his residence, Elsie Inglis House. He unveiled an official facsimile of Magna Carta, produced by the British Library and whose purchase was kindly sponsored by Harrisons Solicitors. Together with judicial officials, experts and NGOs, the issues of an independent judiciary, control mechanisms and the role of independent bodies, and constitutional reform were discussed in Belgrade, 800 years after Runnymede.
Appellate Court judge Miodrag Majic, as a guest blogger on our UKinSerbia blog summed up his impressions of the discussion.
A smaller “LiberTea” event took place in the Media Centre in Nis a couple of days earlier, to discuss human rights and civil liberties with representatives of local civil society organisations and media.
This year’s Queen’s Birthday Party was also dedicated to the anniversary of Magna Carta, giving our guests the opportunity to see the facsimile on display. Following the Queen’s Birthday Party, the Embassy presented the facsimile Magna Carta as a gift to the National Library of Serbia, where it will be exhibited for the Serbian public to view.
