Publications

The publication is a baseline study addressing gender and diversity considerations in the justice system by bringing international perspective on national understanding of the role of the women in judiciary and providing relevant data and analysis from a gender and diversity perspective (ethnicity, language, disability, age, social status, religion or belief). The study reflects on the current situation in North Macedonia and offers recommendations that would serve as a solid basis for future fact-based and sustainable interventions for building a more inclusive justice system in line with the good practice solutions highlighted by the OSCE/ODIHR.

The publication includes findings of the first national perception survey with women in North Macedonia and responses from the two focus groups discussions with victims of sexual extortion conducted in 2021. Some of the questions answered by the respondents include whether women recognized sextortion by public sector employees in exchange for provision of a public service as a form of corruption, if the officials in a position of power tended to request sexual services instead of money/bribes in order to provide the public service obliged to provide in accordance with the Laws, if sextortion was present in the private sector as well, as well as if respondents would report their own or someone else’s experience with this form of corruption. Findings of the report are intended to support the debate and eventually lead to criminalization of sexual extortion as an act of corruption in North Macedonia.

The mentoring handbook aims to support the professional and personal development of women employed in the public sector by creating a concept of mutual support, sharing knowledge and experiences, as well as strengthening solidarity and networking among women. It covers the required key techniques and tools to effectively guide the mentoring process between women employed in public administration. The publication was developed in co-operation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy under the mentoring program “Women for Women in Public Administration”.

The analysis aims to provide insight into the situation with online harassment and attacks on women journalists in North Macedonia, as a form of gender-based violence, as well as identifying possible solutions for overcoming the problem and mechanisms and resources for providing adequate protection and assistance.

The Analysis includes in depth review of the case-law of the European Court on Human Rights (ECtHR), in regards to hate speech and hate crimes. Considering the ever-growing jurisprudence of the ECtHR in this area, it looks into the most significant and impactful decisions and the recent landmark judgments on the topics.

This Handbook, developed in co-operation between the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the national Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, aims at improving the capacities of law enforcement representatives in North Macedonia when dealing with virtual currencies in criminal proceedings by providing practical information for investigators and prosecutors on the detection, investigation, prosecution and seizure of virtual currencies in criminal proceedings.

The Commentary to the Law on Administrative Disputes, prepared by national experts, serves as a guide for the Administrative and High Administrative court judges, the parties in the administrative procedure, the representatives of public bodies and any other legal professionals who wish to obtain a deeper understanding of the legal standards introduced with this law. The publication provides comments to the provisions regarding the administrative disputes, case law examples and a comprehensive, expert and scientifically supported content on the application and interpretation of the provisions of the Law on Administrative Disputes. In addition, it will help expand the learning tools and resources of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors for current and future judges and public prosecutors, legal practitioners, legislators and students. Not available in English.

This analytical report presents findings from the conducted comparative analysis of the existing national legislation, international legal framework and semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Recommendations contained in this report pertain to regulation of sexual extortion as a form of corruption in the Criminal Code, Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests and in the Law on Prevention and Protection of Women from Violence and Domestic Violence. Incrimination of sexual extortion in the national legislation would make North Macedonia among the few countries in the OSCE region to have legislatively recognized and institutionalized gendered forms of corruption, leading to reducing its impact on women.

The Handbook, prepared by the State Election Commission (SEC) of the Republic of North Macedonia and the OSCE Mission to Skopje, aims to increase voters’ knowledge on local self-government, bodies that are elected at local elections and specifics about the local elections. The Handbook provides brief and simple information on the role and competencies of mayors and municipal councils, the right to be elected, the electoral models used for election of a mayor and municipal council, election campaign, and financing local elections. Additionally, it offers an overview of the basic principles of democratic governance and opportunities for citizens’ participation in a decision-making process at local level after the elections. Not available in English.

In this brochure, the Handbook for voters "What Is Local Government and How It Is Elected" has been transformed into Easy-to-Read Format, in order to make it accessible to the people with learning disabilities and a wider audience. The Brochure, prepared by the State Election Commission (SEC) of the Republic of North Macedonia and the OSCE Mission to Skopje, aims to increase voters’ knowledge on local self-government, bodies that are elected at local elections and specifics about the local elections. The handbook provides brief and simple information on the role and competencies of mayors and municipal councils in North Macedonia, the election process. Not available in English.