“It is clear that 2018 was marked by increased international activity. It was a time when we as a civil sector were also in anticipation of seeing what would happen next, and I must say that also we were all to a certain extent tolerant in relation to the shortcomings that were taking place, which mainly refer to the reforms. However, that too ended. We saw all the charades when it comes to the bargaining for the voting on the Prespa Agreement, Gruevski’s escape, which for me will be an event that will always remind me of 2018 and, nevertheless, the Law on amnesty”, says Uranija Pirovska, Executive Director of the Helsinki Committee in a conversation with CIVIL Media for Perspectives 2019.

In regards to the reforms, Pirovska says that we are starting 2019 with yet another unfulfilled plan, 3-6-9, and that Plan 18, and unfulfilled essential reform efforts.

“Let’s not forget that the Law on Discrimination, which was in the focus of the civil society sector for years, is now stuck in parliamentary procedure. And in terms of this law there is obviously some bargaining between the parties, and some religious sentiments are being mentioned that would be questioned with the implementation of this law. If the Government does not show success in regards to the reforms, that is, does not set the foundations of a legal state and does not fight sturdily in combatting corruption, discrimination and does not fight for all other principles for which we advocate, it would come as no surprise if the citizens again expressed their revolt on the streets, as ultimate democratic means in the fight for their rights”, says Pirovska.

As to the expectations for 2019 and the perspectives, Pirovska says that before the presidential elections everything else will be less important just so that the campaign can be conducted and the pre-election euphoria in which the civil sector, and even the media, will deal with incidents and hate speech, as always.

“I cannot but not think that there is a perspective, since we have invested too much for Macedonia to move forward. We will give our contribution again and we will help so that there can be some outcome in the reforms, so that we can continue on the path we have committed ourselves to and have given support to this Government”, concluded Pirovska.

Biljana Jordanovska (conversation, photography and editing)
Text editing: Маja Ivanovska
Camera: Dehran Muratov