Skopje, 30 October 2024 (MIA) - President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova announced on Wednesday that after the Pardoning Commission's collective resignation, talks have begun for the formation of a new composition and that she will not rush its formation.

"The commission did not quit, but resigned for personal and professional reasons, which is different. And we are having talks over the new composition. I never rush things, I admit. We are talking, all profiles must be included so that at the end, the pardoning process, which begins in court and ends with a signature, but is previously reviewed by the commission, is successful. We are having discussions with experts, NGO members, because the Pardoning Commission is always made up of healthcare professionals, psychologists, neuropsychologists , journalists; we are having discussions with all these categories," President Siljanovska Davkova told journalists.

When asked about the meeting with the resigning members of the Commission, which was supposed to be held yesterday, the President pointed out that it is a good time for discussions with all members to determine the changes needed based on their experiences.

"Regarding the meeting, it was rescheduled several times due to other events. I believe that it is a good time to hear the opinions of former members and assess their experiences and knowledge, and see what changes need to happen," Siljanovska Davkova said.

In relation to the recent pardons, the President explained that she and the Pardoning Commission members were guided by the philosophy of protecting human rights, that the commission always starts from the act that the person has done and their behavior after entering prison, the court is tasked with creating a dossier for the convict seeking pardon with all relevant acts, not only the verdict, but also their behavior.

"Yes, but I have a different opinion. I believe that commission members and I were guided by the philosophy of protecting human rights. I believed, and still do, that people, even when they're in prison, are still people. They may have been dehumanized at times, but we should not forget that they are citizens as well, they vote, which is why pardoning exists. Meaning, everyone should get a chance for socialization and re-socialization. I believe that the first step is the most important. Petitions come though the court. The court is tasked with creating a dossier for the convict seeking pardon with all relevant acts acts, not just the verdicts, but their behavior as well. But let's not forget, the commission always starts from the crime that the person committed and from the behavior of the person after they go to prison. We cannot sometimes create images based on other images because then we will quickly face accusations by the Council of Europe that suspending the right to pardon can be considered torture. To reiterate, neither I nor the commission or the Ministry of Justice are investigative bodies. It's dangerous if we go against what we've got from the courts to start consulting with various organization and bodies. That would be a human rights violation," Siljanovska Davkova stressed.

The Pardoning Commission resigned this weekend due to personal and professional principles. The resignation followed a public outcry due to several of the people that received pardons on October 23-Day of Macedonian Revolutionary Struggle. ssh/ik/

MIA file photo