Improving Accountability of Duty Holders

We have cooperated with the Macedonian Helsinki Committee for more than a decade, with the main focus to enhance awareness and respect for human rights and the rule of law in Macedonia. The main problem to be addressed is the lack of knowledge and especially the fact that international standards are not applied in the protection of human rights.

By providing free legal aid we not only improve people’s access to justice but also monitor the respect of human rights by authorities, and put pressure on authorities to comply with international and national human rights standards.

By bringing certain cases into the public sphere through media, courts and other means for scrutiny and debate we enhance people’s awareness of human rights and rule of law.

The activities will this year also contribute to the fight against various forms of discrimination against specific groups.

The Macedonian Helsinki Committee was established in 1995, with the support of Civil Rights Defenders and others. The organisation’s primary mandate is to provide free legal aid in cases where alleged human rights violations have taken place, and to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country.