HF II North Macedonia - Enhancing penitentiary system External Oversight Mechanism

As part of the co-operation framework co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, known as the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey, phase II (Horizontal Facility II), the Council of Europe implemented the Action “Enhancing the capacities of the penitentiary system and the External Oversight Mechanism in North Macedonia”, in close cooperation and partnership with the Ministry of Justice (Directorate for Execution of Sanctions), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ombudsman’s Office. The Action also involved a wide group of other national stakeholders, including prominent civil society organisations active in the area of protection and promotion of human rights.

The main aim of the Action was to contribute to a safer and more humane society that respects and protects the rights of detained and sentenced persons in line with the Council of Europe standards in the area of penitentiary and law enforcement.

The key Conventions for this Action were the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), as well as the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The duration of the project was set at 36 months and it was completed by 31 December 2022, with an overall budget of 1,050,000 Euros.

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Back The first review of the implementation of North Macedonia’s Penitentiary Strategy shows greater focus is needed on improving material conditions and healthcare in prisons

@ Council of Europe

Fifteen months after its adoption by the Government, the implementation of the National Strategy on the Development of the Penitentiary System in North Macedonia (2021-25) was reviewed by a dedicated working group, composed of senior representatives from the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, the Ministry of Health, Ombudsman’s Office, as well as one civil society organisation.

Namely, the Government-established cross-section group that oversees the implementation of this Strategy met on 3-4 November 2022 to review the current state of implementation and provide guidance for the upcoming period to the relevant stakeholders. As expected, material conditions in prisons, along with the provision of medical care rank among the most pressing priorities. All remarks by the civil society and the Ombudsman’s representative were taken on board, based on their visits to the prisons and reports provided.

The National Strategy on the Development of the Penitentiary System (2021-25) was adopted by the Government in July 2022, based on the draft prepared by all stakeholders, supported by the Council of Europe project. Through its twelve objectives, the Strategy foresees specific actions towards ensuring a more secure and humane treatment of detained and sentenced persons. The Council of Europe had previously also assisted the authorities with the drafting of the first penitentiary strategy in North Macedonia (2014-2019).

This activity was organised under the action on “Enhancing the capacities of the penitentiary system and the External Oversight Mechanism in North Macedonia”, which is a part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022".

North Macedonia 08 November 2022