CAT/C/MKD/CO/3

UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

North Macedonia (2015)

The Committee against Torture considered the third periodic report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (CAT/C/MKD/3) at its 1310th and 1313th meetings (CAT/C/SR.1310 and 1313), held on 4 and 5 May 2015, and adopted, at its 1317th meeting, held on 7 May 2015, the following concluding observations.

Concluding observations

Violence against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community

  1. The Committee is concerned at reports of numerous instances of harassment and violent attacks against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, including the incident on 22 June 2014, when it is alleged that 40 young people attacked a recently opened support centre with bricks and stones, threatening some 30 people inside the centre. The Committee is concerned at the reported inaction of the State party’s officials, who failed to provide protection to members of the community or their support offices; moreover, the perpetrators of this and other incidents reportedly enjoy impunity for their acts. The Committee is further concerned at allegations that the concerns of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people were not considered by the Government during the preparation and adoption of the national strategy for equality and non-discrimination (arts. 2, 11–13 and 16).

The State party should take immediate and effective measures to protect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community from attack, abuse and arbitrary detention. It should further ensure that all acts of violence are promptly, effectively and impartially investigated and prosecuted, and that the resulting prosecutions take into consideration any discriminatory motives. Furthermore, the State should ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, victims provided with redress and law enforcement personnel given proper training. Finally, the State party should fully include representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community in any matter concerning the interests of the community.

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