Action Summary

The Action Enhancing the capacities of the penitentiary system and the External Oversight Mechanism in North Macedonia will assist the authorities in North Macedonia in overcoming identified shortcomings related to the protection of human rights, by strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system and the External Oversight Mechanism (EOM) over the work of the officers with police authority.

The Action will be implemented in co-operation with the Ministry of Justice (Directorate for Execution of Sanctions), the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, and the Ministry of Health. It will also involve key partners and stakeholders, including civil society organizations.

The citizens in North Macedonia will be impacted from the Action, which contributes in building a more secure and humane society that respects and protects the rights of detained and sentenced persons in line with the Council of Europe standards.

This Action is part of the Council of Europe/European Union "Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey II"

Expected Results

Aiming to better protect the rights of sentenced persons, the Action directly supports the implementation of the recommendations from the latest European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) report, the National Strategy for Development of the Penitentiary System and the National Strategy for Prevention of Violent Extremism by using a tailor-made approach and peer exchanges.

The Action will contribute to a safer and more humane society by:

 increasing the capacities of prison managers and staff on radicalisation in prisons

 improving the treatment and rehabilitation of inmates

 strengthening the provision of health care in prisons

 increasing the EOM staff capacities on conducting investigations into cases of police ill- treatment