Newsroom
OSCE Mission in Skopje welcomes new law on Ombudsperson
SKOPJE 1 October 2003
SKOPJE, 1 October 2003 - Ambassador Craig Jenness, the Head of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje, welcomed the entry into force today of a new law strengthening the role of the Ombudsperson.
"This important law is a key step forward since it greatly enhances the principle domestic mechanism for protecting the rights of all persons in the country," Jenness said.
"With the full co-operation of government officials and bodies at all levels, the Ombudsman will be able to do his job effectively and at the same time improve respect between the people and the state, vital for the future progress of all democratic countries."
This key piece of legislation required by the Ohrid Framework Agreement gives the Ombudsperson's office new powers, more autonomy and scope.
An important element of this enhanced Ombudsperson's Office is the establishment of six decentralized offices located across the country, in Bitola, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Stip, Strumica and Kicevo. Once these are up and running, these new offices will greatly improve the ability of the Ombudsperson to focus on his new mandate granted by the internationaly brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001. This calls for non-discrimination and the equitable representation of non-majority communities.
The law enables the Ombudsperson to visit all detained persons, including those in pre-trial detention, at any time, without prior authorization and without the attendance of a prison official. Previously, no body, either domestic or international, had this right.
It also includes provisions allowing improved access to all official documents, the power to temporarily suspend the execution of administrative acts and steps to ensure the financial independence of the office.
"This important law is a key step forward since it greatly enhances the principle domestic mechanism for protecting the rights of all persons in the country," Jenness said.
"With the full co-operation of government officials and bodies at all levels, the Ombudsman will be able to do his job effectively and at the same time improve respect between the people and the state, vital for the future progress of all democratic countries."
This key piece of legislation required by the Ohrid Framework Agreement gives the Ombudsperson's office new powers, more autonomy and scope.
An important element of this enhanced Ombudsperson's Office is the establishment of six decentralized offices located across the country, in Bitola, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Stip, Strumica and Kicevo. Once these are up and running, these new offices will greatly improve the ability of the Ombudsperson to focus on his new mandate granted by the internationaly brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement of 2001. This calls for non-discrimination and the equitable representation of non-majority communities.
The law enables the Ombudsperson to visit all detained persons, including those in pre-trial detention, at any time, without prior authorization and without the attendance of a prison official. Previously, no body, either domestic or international, had this right.
It also includes provisions allowing improved access to all official documents, the power to temporarily suspend the execution of administrative acts and steps to ensure the financial independence of the office.