Skopje, 27 February 2025 (MIA) — The National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence has expressed deep concern regarding proposed amendments to the Law on Policing, which reduce the protection of victims of domestic and other forms of violence against women by allowing police officers accused of domestic abuse to keep their weapons longer than the current law allows.

Under the current Law on Policing, any police officer suspected of committing domestic violence is to have his weapon confiscated as soon as social workers notify law authorities of the case. The weapon is to remain confiscated until the end of all court proceedings against that officer.

If passed, the draft amendments would allow the police officer suspected of domestic violence to keep his weapon until the Ministry of Interior investigates the case, which goes against the Council of Europe's Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the human rights activists note.

The bill also goes against the national Law on the Prevention and Protection against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, they point out.

The amendments would also jeopardize the implementation of temporary protection measures, leaving domestic abuse survivors unprotected and increasing the risk of escalating violence, according to the activists.

Additionally, they note, the bill removes current provisions in the Law on Policing that require a mandatory psychological and psychiatric assessment of police officers accused of violence.

The National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence demands the immediate withdrawal of the bill that diminishes the protection people have under the existing law.

"We categorically oppose the proposed amendments to the Law on Policing. We demand they be immediately withdrawn to ensure that the law truly provides protection to all citizens, especially the most vulnerable," the activists write. mr/