Skopje, 20 November 2025 (MIA) — Most reported cases of discrimination are related to unfair employment practices, followed by cases of education, ethnicity and disability discrimination, Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination president Dushan Tomshikj told MIA ahead of a conference on preventing and protecting against discrimination held Thursday in Skopje.

Tomshikj said more and more cases of discrimination were reported each year.

"This does not mean we are becoming a worse society. Maybe there is higher awareness now," he said, adding that there had been nowhere to report such cases before the commission existed. 

"Previously, there was no mechanism. Nowadays, the commission ranks well in our society and we try hard to approach everyone and let them know there is a place where they can report a case of discrimination," Tomshikj said.

He added that the commission's job was to determine whether there was any discrimination in each particular case, which could then be taken to court by the person discriminated against.

Asked about the conference, Tomshikj said it was organized to mark five years since the adoption of the Law on Prevention and Protection from Discrimination. He said attendees included regional experts on discrimination, including from Croatia, Albania and Kosovo.

"We see anti-gender narratives at the European Union level increasing," he added, pointing out that nationalism and ethnic discrimination were also on the rise. 

"This is a challenge for entire Europe," he said.

Barbara Ligl, Component Leader for Fundamental and Human Rights within the European Union Support for the Rule of Law project, said her team of experts worked with state institutions to raise awareness of and protect human rights, especially by addressing the prevention of gender discrimination and violence, effective reintegration and resocialization of offenders and protection of children's rights. 

Organizers said the conference would also highlight key achievements in promoting equality and protection from discrimination over the past five years as well as a discuss next strategic steps, institutional challenges and European standards. mr/