US Ambassador to Skopje Angela Aggeler has called on political parties and other institutions in North Macedonia to put an end to pressures on the judiciary.
“Judges should be free in the exercise of their duties and the enforcement of the law. This is increasingly demanded by the citizens of this country. They need an independent and efficient judiciary,” said Aggeler in a speech given on March 15 in Skopje on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Constitutional Court.
“In the United States and here in North Macedonia, this court is essential to enable a transparent and fair society. Everyone should respect the independence of judges who should be blind to political influences and public opinion, and guided by principles based on our constitutions,” expressed the US ambassador.
The criticisms of the American diplomat come after reports from international institutions about the decline in the trust of citizens of North Macedonia in the judiciary.
According to recent public opinion surveys, trust in the judiciary has dropped to 2 percent, which is the lowest level since the independence of this country in 1991.
Ambassador Aggeler said that “only independent judges can support the rule of law and protect rights and that they must act objectively and fairly”.
“I have heard a lot from you about the pressures you have faced. Pressures on the judiciary in North Macedonia are something that needs to stop. Judges should be left free to perform their duties.”
The Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Kilian Wahl, among other things, emphasized the need to strengthen the Constitutional Court through the introduction of an effective mechanism for the submission of appeals.
“The OSCE Mission in Skopje and other international partners support the court, which will continue to serve as a solid pillar for the rule of law, the protection of human rights, and democracy in North Macedonia.”
The judiciary in North Macedonia has been consistently criticized by the European Union.
The European Union has called on Skopje to undertake extensive reforms in the judiciary system as it assesses that it has reached a “critical point” after numerous scandals related to the release of many corrupt officials from criminal prosecution during the tenure of former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, the manipulation of cases, and the release from prison of some of them.
