News
Empowering Legal Clinics and Civil Society Organizations to enhance Free Legal Aid system in North Macedonia
The legal clinics and civil society organisations (CSOs) authorised for the provision of primary legal aid, are instrumental in ensuring access to justice and to effectively apply protection of human rights in line with European standards. Around 25 participants attended a five-days training of...
PRESS RELEASE
“Upholding journalistic integrity and advancing freedom of expression in North Macedonia”: Journalists and media actors in North Macedonia discuss key measures and challenges
The recent amendments to North Macedonia's Criminal Code enhance journalist protection by allowing the Prosecutor's Office to initiate criminal cases on their behalf, alleviating the burden of private prosecutions. Additionally, since defamation and insult were decriminalised in North Macedonia,...
Steering towards freedom of expression in line with European standards
Underscoring the commitment to safeguarding freedom of expression and media in North Macedonia, the second Steering Committee Meeting under the joint EU and Council of Europe action on “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia” (PRO-FREX) that convened today in Skopje,...
MEDIA ADVISORY
European Union and Council of Europe organise thematic discussion: “Upholding Journalistic Integrity: Safeguarding Journalists and Media Actors in North Macedonia”
16 April 2024, Skopje - A thematic discussion on “Upholding Journalistic Integrity: Safeguarding Journalists and Media Actors in North Macedonia, ” will be organised on 17 April 2024 in Hotel Aleksandar Palace, in the framework of the European Union and the Council of Europe joint action...
Council of Europe Recommendation on countering the use of SLAPPs translated into Macedonian
On 5 April 2024, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted Recommendation CM/Rec(2024)2 on countering the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) which was translated into Macedonian with the support of EU and Council of Europe. Alarmed by the chilling...
“Quality Education for All” – Successful Third Steering Committee Meeting in North Macedonia
Third Steering Committee meeting of the “Quality Education for All” – North Macedonia project held in Skopje on 08 April 2024
The third Steering Committee Meeting for the “Quality Education for All” project in North Macedonia was held on 08 April 2024 and meeting marked a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to enhance the education system and promote inclusivity throughout the country. During the meeting, key...
“NO! to Antigypsyism, YES! to the Roma" cultural event marks International Roma Day in SKopje
In celebration of the 8 April – International Roma Day, the joint programmes of the European Union and the Council of Europe, “ROMACTED – Phase II” and “Roma Integration – Phase III”, organised a cultural event titled "No to Antigypsyism, Yes to the Roma." The event, held on April 7th in Skopje...
Call for Tenders: Local consultancy services on Human Rights and the Environment in South-East Europe
The Council of Europe is currently implementing a Project on “Human Rights and Sustainable Environment in South-East Europe” which aims to set up the ground for better protection of the environment and human rights in South-East Europe, namely in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*,...
Law students in North Macedonia increase their knowledge on legal aid in criminal proceedings
In an effort to deepen students' understanding of legal aid in criminal proceedings, a lecture was held at the Legal Clinic for criminal law, located within the Faculty of Law "Iustinianus Primus" in Skopje, North Macedonia. 19 law students discussed and explored the crucial aspects of legal aid...
Empowering Legal Professionals from North Macedonia to safeguard journalists and freedom of expression
To uphold the principles of freedom of expression and protection of journalists, a capacity-building initiative was organised in Gevgelija gathering legal professionals from various backgrounds including judges, prosecutors, and lawyers. They worked together during the three-day training course...
Lawyers and legal professionals completed the HELP course on Combating Hate Speech and Hate Crime in Macedonian Language
43 lawyers and legal professionals from North Macedonia successfully completed the HELP course on combating hate speech and hate crime in Macedonian language. The translated HELP course in Macedonian language on combating hate speech and hate crime was launched for the first time last year in...
The role of legal clinics for providing primary legal aid for victims of crimes and gender-based violence discussed at the National Co-ordination Body meeting
The 14th meeting of the National Co-ordination Body for the implementation of the Law on Free Legal Aid in North Macedonia, gathered in Skopje on 20 March to discuss the progress and important challenges regarding the implementation of free legal aid system in North Macedonia. Organised in the...
Promoting inclusivity in media content in North Macedonia
Persons with disabilities have a right to enjoy the content of audiovisual media. To this end, a public presentation of a draft Rulebook to ensure accessibility of audiovisual media services (AVMS) for persons with disabilities took place today in Skopje with the support of the EU and Council of...
Call for applications for grants to support activities on combating hate speech in North Macedonia
Within the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe Horizontal Facility programme and its action on “Combating Hatred and Intolerance in North Macedonia”, the Council of Europe is launching a call for applications for grants scheme “Support to local self-governments and/or CSOs...
Improving co-ordination of public actors in North Macedonia for a more efficient provision of healthcare in prisons
The first meeting of the working group on enhancing central-level co-ordination for penitentiary healthcare in North Macedonia took place on 5-6 March 2024, bringing together senior officials of the Ministry of Health, the Health Insurance Fund, the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, as...
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić ahead of International Women’s Day
“More and more, AI is giving shape to the world we live in - our job prospects, our health-care outcomes, our access to benefits and services. The list of areas affected by AI is long and is growing. Unless we learn how to harness the potential of AI to bridge inequalities - including gender...
State of the Press Freedom in Europe
Annual Report of the Safety of Journalists Platform
“… the alerts published on the Safety of Journalists Platform show a growing diversity of threats, pressures and constraints under which journalists must carry out their mission.” Today, on 5 March 2024, the Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists launched its...
The State Commission on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes constituted in North Macedonia
The State Commission on Compensation for Victims of Violent Crimes was established in North Macedonia aiming to support victims of violent crimes including victims of trafficking in human beings by awarding a state compensation of up to 5,000 euro for the injustice suffered. This constitutes an...
Supporting inclusive education, combating hate speech, and ensuring improved health and social services for Roma community in North Macedonia
A workshop for community facilitators from 15 municipalities in North Macedonia was organised in Skopje with the objective to increase their skills and capacities in their daily work with the vulnerable communities. This initiative supported by the EU and Council of Europe transferred valuable...
Anti-trafficking actors in North Macedonia increase their capacities to prevent and combat human trafficking for labour exploitation
The crime of human trafficking for labour exploitation remains largely under detected, which in turn deprives its victims from protecting their rights under the European Convention on action against trafficking in human beings. The inter-institutional co-operation of the anti - trafficking actors...
