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OSCE Mission in Skopje supports judicial reform efforts
SKOPJE 11 May 2004
SKOPJE, 11 May 2004 - The Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Carlos Pais, believes that reforming the judiciary is a priority for the country.
"Improving the work of the judiciary is crucial to European integration and demonstrates the country's willingness to implement the vital reforms outlined in the European Commission's first report on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement," he said. "The OSCE Mission to Skopje has provided and is ready to continue to provide support to the reform efforts and processes."
Ambassador Pais's comments followed publication of an Interim Report on Trial Observation, "All for Fair Trials," produced by a Coalition of twenty domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The report calls for the improvement of judicial efficiency and requests greater transparency. It also urges the government to provide necessary structural independence, education and resources to help the courts comply with international standards.
The OSCE Mission initially supported NGOs monitoring trials and helped them to establish the "Trial Observation Network".
The report is the first public, domestically produced document analysing the judiciary and suggesting ways to improve it. It is the result of research, undertaken from June 2003 to January 2004, based on the monitoring of some 1000 court hearings.
"It is necessary to look at different options and opportunities," said Ambassador Pais. "If this country wants to join the EU, reforming the judiciary is a step in the right direction."
In addition to working with civil society, the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje also provides support to the courts and other judicial bodies.
The full report is available at www.all4fairtrials.org.mk
"Improving the work of the judiciary is crucial to European integration and demonstrates the country's willingness to implement the vital reforms outlined in the European Commission's first report on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement," he said. "The OSCE Mission to Skopje has provided and is ready to continue to provide support to the reform efforts and processes."
Ambassador Pais's comments followed publication of an Interim Report on Trial Observation, "All for Fair Trials," produced by a Coalition of twenty domestic non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The report calls for the improvement of judicial efficiency and requests greater transparency. It also urges the government to provide necessary structural independence, education and resources to help the courts comply with international standards.
The OSCE Mission initially supported NGOs monitoring trials and helped them to establish the "Trial Observation Network".
The report is the first public, domestically produced document analysing the judiciary and suggesting ways to improve it. It is the result of research, undertaken from June 2003 to January 2004, based on the monitoring of some 1000 court hearings.
"It is necessary to look at different options and opportunities," said Ambassador Pais. "If this country wants to join the EU, reforming the judiciary is a step in the right direction."
In addition to working with civil society, the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje also provides support to the courts and other judicial bodies.
The full report is available at www.all4fairtrials.org.mk