INTRODUCTION
According to Freedom House's Freedom in the World 2023 report, Northern Macedonia is classified as a “free” country, with a political rights rating of 2 and a civil liberties rating of 3. The country's overall status has remained stable, underlining its commitment to democratic governance. The report acknowledges improvements in the electoral system, but also highlights persistent problems such as corruption, political interference in the judiciary and media polarisation. Despite the vibrant civil society and media landscape in Northern Macedonia, further initiatives are needed to strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law and ensure transparency in governance.
In June, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights strongly condemned the offensive graffiti with swastikas and derogatory messages directed at the Roma community in Bitola, Macedonia. The human rights watchdog called for a full investigation, the identification of the perpetrators and the classification of this act as a hate crime. The Committee intends to file criminal charges and will closely follow further developments. They stress the need for increased inter-ethnic tolerance and advocate for institutional reforms to combat racial profiling and improve the marginalised status of the Roma community.
FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
After sexual minorities’ rights activist Irena Cvetkovikj expressed concern on social media about anti-LGBTQI+ symbols in Strumica, the city's mayor Kostadin Kostadinov threatened to stop his administration’s cooperation with LGBTQI+ rights NGOs altogether. In a Facebook post on 20th June, he announced the cancellation of all cooperation agreements signed with these NGOs and a veto on any correspondence from them.
Following these events, the Platform for Gender Equality strongly condemned Mayor Kostadin Kostadinov's recent hostile rhetoric towards civil society organisations that hold views different from his. According to them, by refusing to cooperate and labelling these organisations as “inappropriate,” the mayor is deepening division, fuelling hostility and undermining democratic principles. Furthermore, the mayor's emphasis on religious beliefs and exclusion of dissenting voices violates the values of equality, respect and freedom of expression. The Platform called on the mayor to refrain from further attacks on organisations working for gender equality and to uphold democratic values.
FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
On 24th May, a teachers’ union organised a protest march in Skopje to express their dissatisfaction with the proposal to merge several subjects in the curriculum and with insufficient salaries. As the leader of the Independent Trade Union for Education and Science explained, there is an unhealthy working environment in the education sector. They want to highlight the lack of social dialogue and the inadequate working conditions. They announced that this protest was a warning and the union representatives stated that they would take further action if their demands were not met immediately.
On 15th June, the tax office workers’ union protested, demanding a 30% salary increase. They also declared their intention to announce a strike to the employer and to submit a conciliation proposal to the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. They pointed out that the decision to strike taken on 14th June will come into effect if their demands are not met, and the strike may last up to 15 days. Their demands include the signing of a collective agreement that guarantees essential rights for the functioning of the Public Revenue Office, including the 30% salary increase provided for in Article 66 of the Budget Law.
On 16th June, Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra staff protested again in front of the government building, demanding that the decision to house another institution in its building be reconsidered (see previous CIVICUS Monitor update). The Chairman of the orchestra’s employee union stressed that the National Jazz Orchestra was originally intended to be permanently housed in the Philharmonic building, but later the term "temporary" was introduced to manipulate public perception. An agreement was reached during the reporting period. The union expressed satisfaction with the government's decision not to allocate space to the jazz orchestra on their premises and thanked the public for their support. They refrained from apologising and instead thanked all those who stood by them in this struggle. These include former directors, conductors, musicians and colleagues of the Belgrade and Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestras who have publicly stood up for their position.
Under the motto “Loud and Proud", the fourth edition of the Skopje Pride Parade took place on 24th June. LGBTQI+ people, their allies and numerous civil society organisations gathered near the Parliament building to denounce discrimination and demand their rights, declaring that they will no longer hide their identity. The event received strong support from a number of non-governmental organisations. Prominent politicians, including Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Bojan Maricic, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Jovana Trenchovska and Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska, also showed their solidarity. The National Network against Homophobia and Transphobia held a press conference on this year's Pride Parade, highlighting the ongoing struggle for LGBTQI+ rights in the face of opposition from religious communities, conservative and populist politicians and anti-gender movements. Skopje Pride featured a diverse cultural and entertainment programme, including live music, drag queen shows from the country and the region, and DJ sets.
In response, the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) organised a counter-protest on 29th June, speaking out against gender recognition and expressing their opposition to the proposed Law on Gender Equality and amendments to the Law on the Civil Registry. The protest continued despite the fact the two laws were withdrawn from the parliamentary process. Thousands of citizens, including members of the Synod of the MOC-OA, the Archbishop of Skopje and other prominent figures, gathered in support. Under the slogan “We have a duty to protect children”, they underlined their stance against the proposed laws.
In a joint statement, they expressed concern about the legal recognition of “gender identity” and the potential for discrimination against women and children. The protesters called for a re-evaluation of the laws and pointed to some EU member states that have distanced themselves from similar legislation. The protest was peaceful and without incident. Other religious communities in Macedonia also expressed their support. The Islamic Religious Community offered moral support, although it did not participate in the demonstration because of the religious holiday Kurban Bajram. It believes that preserving traditional family values is essential for a healthy society. The political parties Alternativa and Macedonian Concept officially supported the protest, stating that the Pride Parade in Skopje was an attack on traditional family values.
On 28th June, the Helsinki Committee issued an appeal to guarantee the safety of the LGBTQI+ community amidst the protests orchestrated by the Macedonian Orthodox Church. They have voiced apprehension regarding the notable surge in incidents, verbal assaults, and threats, occurring both online and in physical environments. The committee has advised LGBTQI+ individuals to exercise caution and maintain a low profile during the protests to safeguard their well-being. In an effort to offer practical guidance, the committee has recommended avoiding protest zones, refraining from displaying LGBTQI+ symbols in public, and remaining in well-lit and populated areas. These measures are intended to help ensure the security and well-being of the LGBTQI+ community during this period of heightened tension.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
The Macedonian Journalists' Union (ZNM) and the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) have strongly condemned the decision of the Court of Appeal in Skopje in May to overturn an earlier ruling in favour of investigative journalists from the Investigative Reporting Lab (IRL). The reopening of the case, in which former Deputy Prime Minister Kocho Angjushev had sued Sasha Cvetkovska and the IRL for defamation over an investigative story about air pollution, is seen as a direct threat to freedom of expression and a tactic to intimidate journalists. The organisations stress the detrimental impact of such decisions on media freedom and call for the protection of journalists' rights.
Furthermore, they point to the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) as a means of suppressing public criticism and activism. Furthermore, the organisations condemn the attempt by the company “Fero Invest” to discredit Cvetkovska and influence public opinion in favour of the plaintiff. ZNM and SSNM plan to refer the case to the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe (AIPCE) to highlight the pressure on press freedom by the judicial system.
During the reporting period, the activity of the religious anti-equality movement in the country has increased significantly. The POLICA bookshop has become the focus of an organised campaign spearheaded by members of the “Take Responsibility” group, which claims to be committed to “protecting children from transgender ideology.” The actions were triggered by the bookshop's support for Pride Month, during which the bookshop offered a discounted book through its social media channels. The campaign gained momentum after the bookshop removed some comments under their social media post promoting the book in question - “The End of Eddy” by Edouard Louis, which recounts the author's experiences of violence and abuse due to homophobia in rural France. POLICA defended their decision on the grounds that the comments advocated violence against children due to their sexual orientation. They stressed the importance of reading and understanding different perspectives to promote love and respect for all people.
At the same time, the Coalition for the Protection of Children, a “pro-family” group supported by the right-wing Rodina (Homeland) Party, in cooperation with the Orthodox Christian Eleusa Foundation, is organising screenings of the documentary “What Is a Woman?” by Matt Walsh, as well as rallies in several cities across the country. The organisers emphasise that the documentary addresses current issues related to women's rights, different genders and gender identities, transgender persons and the cultural conflict between traditional notions of male/female and gender ideology. The film includes interviews with professionals and people who have undergone gender transition and now express their regrets.