Participants at the national conference on non-discrimination, organized on Tuesday by the Network for protection against discrimination, stressed the need for urgent adoption of the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, which will provide legal framework and system for efficient prevention and protection from discrimination.
“Fight against discrimination is high on the agendas of both the Labor Ministry and the government. Thus the Ministry has proposed the draft-Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination. The government believes that it’s in citizens best interest that the law is properly adopted as soon as possible,” Minister of Labor and Social Policy Jagoda Shahpaska told the conference.
She stressed that the law had previously been supported by international organization, the Venice Commission, as well as 70 NGOs, but its adoption was stalled by the opposition.
“This time around I believe the opposition will support the adoption of this law, based on EU regulations, that defines all forms and ground for discrimination, and calls for establishment of an competent and independent 7-member commission for prevention and protection from discrimination with a 5-year term,” the Minister noted.
Fani Karanfilova Panovska, executive director of the “Open Society Macedonia” foundation, stressed the prevalence of discrimination issues in North Macedonia. A lot of citizens, she added, stand at the margins of society.
“It’s more than necessary that Parliament adopts the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination. Adoption of the law will provide mechanism for protection from discrimination and ensure all citizens have equal access to justice and opportunities. Moreover, we call on political parties in Parliament to hold transparent and inclusive election of members of the commission for prevention and protection from discrimination,” Karanfilova Panovska added.
Members of the Network for protection against discrimination have also asked for speedy adoption of the Law for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination followed by immediate election of its commission.
“The government rejected the Network’s proposal to change Article 18 of the law, to allow for transparent, efficient and fair election of members of the commission for prevention and protection from discrimination. Therefore we ask MPs to put forward this amendment themselves. Being on the brink of starting EU accession talks is a crucial time to adopt the anti-discrimination law and establish its commission,” Natasha Boshkova from “Margins” coalition told the event.
MP Maja Morachanin said that the DOM political party will support the Network’s proposal to amend Article 18 of the law.
“The amendment will contribute to more transparent election of commission members, which will improve citizens’ trust in institutions and the commission for prevention and protection from discrimination,” Morachanin said.
Tuesday’s conference aimed to start a discussion between stakeholders on the need for urgent advancement of the anti-discrimination system through intervention in the legal and institutional framework, as well as constant and coordinated work of institutions to promote human rights, guarantee equality and change harmful practices that generate inequality and social exclusion of marginalized groups.
The conference was part of a project organized by the “Margins” coalition and the Network for protection against discrimination, supported by the “Open Society Macedonia” foundation.
