Skopje, 21 November 2022 (MIA) - A total of 85 MPs in the 120-seat Parliament at a session on Monday voted in favor of amendments to the Criminal Code. The changes into the legislation involve the implementation of the Istanbul Convention, crimes in relation to the safety of journalists, amendments to certain provisions in the criminal law in the sphere of confiscation and torture as a result of verdicts reached by the European Court for Human Rights recognizing violation of the Convention, as well as alignment of the Criminal Code with the Directive (EU) 2017/1371 for the fight against fraud in relation to the Union's financial interests. VMRO-DPMNE MP Ivanka Vasilevska said she would vote for the changes despite being against the Constitution adding the part regarding gender-based violence against girls and women under 18 is discriminatory and noting men could also be the victims of domestic violence. Welcoming the adoption of the changes to the Criminal Code, SDSM MP Snezhana Kalevska Vanchevska said all interested sides had been involved in preparing the changes. As regards protection of journalists' safety, the changes now include charges related to "prevention of officials while doing their duty." "Murder" as a crime is also included under the changes not only of journalists, but also of judges, public prosecutors, lawyers, doctors or medical workers or persons in general that perform public duties of public interest. Most amendments refer to the provisions involving the Istanbul Convention. Thus, domestic violence is defines as harassment, insult, threatened safety, bodily harm, gender, psychological, physical or economic violence that causes a sense of insecurity, risk or fear. Also, the existing definition "victim of a crime" is expanded with "victim to gender-based violence, including all women and girls under 18." Stricter sentences are included under the amendments if the crime is committed or is the consequence of a gender based violence. A new crime, female genital mutilation, is included, which envisages a prison sentence from six months to five years. In line with the Istanbul Convention, stalking as a crime is included, which brings a fine or a prison sentence of up to three years for perpetrators.