Skopje, 25 July 2025 (MIA) — The reform agenda is not just a document; it aims to lead to fair trials, independent judges, protection of victims, greater trust in the judiciary — and the Ministry of Justice is intensely working on it, Minister of Justice Igor Filkov said Friday in an interview for Kurir.

According to the Ministry of Justice in a press rlease, Filkov told Kurir that out of eight laws with a June 2025 deadline, seven had already been submitted to the government for consideration. These include the Law on the Judicial Council as well as several draft laws on the remuneration of judges, prosecutors and judicial council members.

Also, the justice minister said, the Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interest, the Law on Civil Procedure, the Law on Misdemeanors and the Law on Whistleblower Protection had also been drafted and sent to the government for review.

"We are not rushing, but we work efficiently," Filkov told the news portal. "Each of these laws is the result of debates, consultations and the work of experts. Our reforms are serious – as confirmed by the Venice Commission's positive opinion on the Law on the Judicial Council. That is no small matter. That is a European seal."

On the Law on the Judicial Council, Filkov said a thorough reform was necessary. He said the public was "righteously outraged by the scandals and nepotism" in the council.

"What we have seen — from ignoring ethical norms to avoiding responsibility — is unacceptable in any democratic society," he said. 

"Some have lost their sensitivity to public shame," he added. "So the state needs to set new rules that will not depend on individual good will but on clear, legally defined criteria." 

The law sets out objective and measurable criteria for the selection, evaluation and dismissal of Judicial Council members, including transparent procedures and accountability mechanisms, he noted.

"Justice must not be held hostage by incompetent or compromised individuals. This is our last chance to restore trust in the judiciary," Filkov said. mr/