97 Article 5 A person is eligible for the position of the Protector of Citizens if they are nationals of the Republic of Serbia and meet the following requirements: • bachelor’s degree in law; • at least ten years of experience in jobs related to the purview of the Protector of Citizens; • high moral character and qualifications; • significant experience in the protection of civil rights. Article 6 The Protector of Citizens shall have four deputies that help him/her in performing the duties prescribed by this Law, and within the powers delegated to them by the Protector of Citizens. When delegating powers to deputies, the Protector of Citizens shall in particular ensure special expertise for the performance of duties under the Protector of Citizens’ competency, primarily in respect to the protection of rights of persons deprived of their liberty, children’s rights, rights of national minorities and rights of disabled persons. The Protector of Citizens shall designate a deputy who will replace him/her when absent or prevented from performing his/her duties. Deputies of the Protector of citizens shall be appointed by the Assembly following the recommendation of the Protector of Citizens. Deputies of the Protector of Citizens shall be appointed to a five-year term of office and the same person may be elected at most twice in succession. A person is eligible for the position of Deputy Protector of citizens if they are nationals of the Republic of Serbia and meet the following requirements: • university degree; • at least five years of experience in jobs related to the purview of the Protector of citizens; • if they are persons of high moral character and qualifications • have significant experience in the protection of civil rights. Article 7 The Protector of Citizens and his deputies shall swear the following oath before taking office: “I solemnly swear to perform my duties responsibly, impartially and independently, in compliance with the law and the Constitution and to conscientiously work on the protection of human rights and freedoms.” The Protector of Citizens shall swear the oath before the National Assembly, and his/her Deputies before the Speaker of the National Assembly Article 8 The Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, shall take office the moment he/she swears the oath. If the Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, fails to take office within 30 days from the day he/she swore the oath without justifiable reason, he/she shall be deemed not elected. This fact is concluded by the National Assembly on the basis of a Committee’s notification. In such event, the procedure for the election of a new Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, is immediately initiated. Article 9 The Protector of Citizens, i.e. his/her Deputies, shall not hold other public office, perform another professional activity, or any duty or task that might influence their independence and autonomy. The Protector of Citizens and his/her Deputies shall not be members of political organisations.