Skopje, 13 September 2023 (MIA) – The adoption of legal amendments without a transparent process is contrary to the European standards, concluded the Supreme Court at a session Wednesday, regarding the amendments to the Criminal Code, which were adopted without an assessment from the supreme judges. The Supreme Court said it also reviewed the amendments related to the crime of abuse of official position and authorization.

“The drafting of legal amendments that impact judicial proceedings must be implemented in a transparent process through a public debate and an expert discussion. The Ministry of Justice did not submit the amendments to the Criminal Code to the Supreme Court for assessment. Thereby, making it impossible for the Supreme Court to provide its opinion on the adopted legal amendments, which are an issue of high public interest. The Supreme Court believes that the adoption of legal amendments without a transparent process, with a public debate and expert debate, is contrary to the commitments for reforms in the judiciary in line with the European standards,” stressed the Supreme Court.

The Court said it has always provided its support for legal amendments that contribute to an efficient fight against crime and corruption, and on the basis of those commitments, it has never had any remarks in the past in terms of the sanctions for the specific offences, nor has it proposed a reduction of the sanctions.

Photo: MIA Archive