President Stevo Pendarovski addressed the reception on the occasion of the beginning of the 6th Regional Conference of Equality Bodies in Southeast Europe, hosted by the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination of the Republic of North Macedonia.
President Pendarovski wished successful work to the participants and positive results from the Conference, pointing out that the suppression and fight against discrimination is a challenge not only for our country and region, but also for much more developed societies and democracies.
“As the forms and scope of discrimination, unfortunately, are constantly expanding, so is the need to adapt national legislation, accept good practices and professional approach of all competent institutions and organizations, in order to ensure effective implementation of the principle of equality in virtually all areas of social life”, President Pendarovski said in his address.
He pointed out that such regional conferences are an opportunity to exchange good practices and share useful ideas and experiences between national mechanisms for protection of human rights and equality bodies, with the aim of improving the work of all factors in this segment.
The President stressed that on this occasion it is good to remind that North Macedonia has made a big step forward in this field in recent years, both in terms of legislation and in practice.
“For a successful fight against discrimination, it is necessary to have independent bodies, which will have the knowledge and capacity to deal with the obligations, which means to consistently implement legal provisions for human rights protection. This further means coordinated and timely response in order to prevent and sanction all forms of discrimination. On this occasion, let me publicly repeat that I will continue to fully support the Commission’s efforts, especially in the direction of raising public awareness, informing and educating citizens for all types of discrimination they face”, President Pendarovski said and expressed his gratitude to the OSCE Mission in Skopje, which continuously supports the activities in this important segment, by supporting and strengthening national anti-discrimination mechanisms.
Recently, the Cabinet of the President and the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, with the aim of undertaking coordinated activities for promotion of protection and ensuring full and equal enjoyment of human rights and basic freedoms.
