Skopje, 2 July 2025 (MIA) - The United Nations Human Rights Committee has completed the review of the fourth periodical report on North Macedonia regarding the implementation of the provisions from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee experts praising the country's efforts in countering discrimination while raising questions on reports over excessive use of force by border officers against asylum seekers and attacks on journalists.

The experts reaffirmed at the Committee's 144th session the country's positive efforts for strengthening the rule of law and countering discrimination, in the context of its EU accession process.

Ministry of Justice representative Nikola Prokopenko, who led the country's delegation to the session, said North Macedonia is committed to implementation of the Committee recommendations, which represent an integral part of the strategic priorities in reforming the legal system, strengthening the rule of law and promoting democracy in line with European standards.

Regarding the anti-discrimination measures, the delegation said the state has aligned the law on prevention against discrimination with relevant EU directives, accompanied by the strengthening of the national commission for discrimination monitoring and its assistance in the development of national policies for prevention of discrimination and raising the awareness among civil servants on the issue.

The delegation said that the police internal affairs department investigated complaints over excessive use of force and torture by officers, resulting in a criminal charge and sanctioning of one officer. There were no reports of excessive use of force against migrants and asylum seekers between 2022 and 2024.

The Macedonian delegation also informed that recent amendments in the Criminal Code provide for ex officio prosecution of attacks on journalists, and that the state has worked on increasing the visibility of crimes against journalists and higher penalties for such crimes.

In the concluding remarks, Committee Chair Changrok Soh praised North Macedonia for the ratification of international treaties, legal norms on gender-based violence and gender equality policies. Nevertheless, he said there are still concerns over issues such as hate speech, prison conditions and a limited framework for protection of asylum seekers.

The Macedonian delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Community Relations, Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services, Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Science, and North Macedonia's Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva.

Photo: UNTV