Skopje, 9 December 2025 (MIA) - The Parliament's Standing Inquiry Committee on protection of citizens' rights and liberties is holding Tuesday a session over the petition filed by citizens' association "16 March 2025 Kochani" that brings together parents of the victims in the Kochani nightclub fire.

The session started with a moment of silence for the fire victims. It is attended by President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, parents and close ones of the victims, lawmakers, the Ombudsman, representatives of civil society organizations etc.

Committee chair, Levica MP Dimitar Apasiev, said the Standing Inquiry Committee has discussed a number of petitions over the past two decades, noting it cannot perform investigative or other judicial functions, but its findings can serve as grounds to initiate proceedings to hold public office holders accountable.

Association representative Marija Petrushova told the session their rquest is for the case to be treated as a grave violation of human rights, with a focus on the right to life.

"We are here not only to mourn our children but to seek justice for them as well. We cannot remain carefree like the ones who were charged with keeping our lives. Due to their negligence, corruption and incapability to perform their task, our children are dead and many others remain exposed to the same dangerous system. This tragedy did not happen only because of one erroneously lit spark, but came as a consequence of systemic shortcomings that pose a threat to the most fundamental right - the right of life, security and justice. What we have experienced is not only institutional inefficiency - it is a systemic threat for all citizens. Our demands are the following: urgent and full institutional support for all families of victims in the Kochani fire; clear and official answer for the reasons over the long delay and complete inactivity of institutions; setting specific timeframes for completion of all procedures related to the support; and review of the remaining points of the petition. The Government has a legal, moral and human obligation to proceed in a clear, just and responsible way. It must demonstrate care, solidarity and sensitivity to the families that have suffered irreparable damages. Our children deserve it, our pain deserves it," said Petrushova.

She added that instead of a fast and thorough investigation, they have seen delays, political calculations and selective prosecution.

"Instead of all those responsible being in detention, we are forced to beg the state to prosecute the culprits. Promises that 'no one will be saved' are only empty words now. Today we are seeing that only those 'on the bottom' are being processed, while office holders, who are equally responsible and should have been behind bars from the very beginning, continue to carelessly roam around the city while our children lay buried. We have seen that the investigation has included former economy ministers, an ex-state secretary in the Ministry of Economy and a former State Market Inspectorate director, but why aren't current officials investigated as well, along with former and incumbent officials from the institutions authorized with issuance of licenses, approvals and supervision. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to look at our case and conclude that the state has dramatically failed in the face of corruption and crime, the sense of security is lost for every citizen, while the 'big fish' are above the law," said Petrushova.

She added that measures must be undertaken to prevent future victims by ensuring prevention mechanisms, sanctioning of culprits and guaranteeing that the right to life and security will be a priority for all citizens.

"The authorities have not ensured any institutional, financial or psychosocial support for the families. This leaves an impression that the Kochani tragedy can be left on the sidelines and that lost lives were not valued in the same way as in other tragedies," said Petrushova.

VMRO-DPMNE MP Ivanka Vasilevska said that lawmakers also want to come to the truth about the tragedy and seek responsibility.

"Your search for justice is the generating force that keeps you standing. Our hearts are always with you and that is the reason why we are here today - to tell you that we will not allow for you to be abused or manipulated. Let me warn you as a mother, sister, MP and law professor that the goal for which we are here today will not be accomplished. You should know that the format of this Committee and everything said here will not represent legal grounds for accountability. It can only serve to exempt from responsibility those who had a part in this horrendous tragedy," said Vasilevska.

She read a letter that Chief Prosecutor Ljupcho Kocevski had sent to the Parliament, in which he says that presenting evidence and documents related to criminal proceedings before the Committee could compromise them in the court.

Vasilevska also urged for Apasiev's removal from chairing the Committeе because of his "predefined and publicly expressed legal opinion on the essential elements of the court proceedings, making him incapable of guaranteeing impartiality and objectivity, while urging parents to come to her office so that she shows them Apasiev's statement about the Kochani tragedy.

In response, Apasiev said he did not accept her request for his removal.

Last week, following a motion of the MPs from the parliamentary majority, including VMRO-DPMNE, ZNAM and Vlen, the Parliament passed a decision approving the formation of an inquiry committee tasked with establishing the circumstances in which institutions acted involving accidents in the Republic of North Macedonia that will focus on the tragedies in Kochani, the Tetovo modular hospital fire, Durmo Tours and Laskarci bus crashes.

The trial over the Kochani nightclub fire, which killed 63 people and left over 200 injured, began on November 19 in Skopje.

Photo: Screenshot