CCPR/C/MKD/CO/3

North Macedonia (CCPR 17-08-2015)

The Human Rights Committee considered the third periodic report submitted by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (CCPR/C/MKD/3) at its 3170th and 3171th meetings (CCPR/C/SR.3170 and 3171), held on 2 and 3 July 2015. At its 3191th meeting, held on 20 July 2015, the Committee adopted the following concluding observations.

Concluding observations

Principal subjects of concern and recommendations

C. Sexual orientation and gender identity

7. The Committee is concerned that the Law on the Prevention of and Protection against Discrimination does not explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Committee is also concerned about the prevalence of stereotypes and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. In this regard, it is particularly concerned about reports of acts of violence against such persons and at reports of a lack of effective investigations and prosecutions (arts. 2 and 26).

The State party should amend its Law on the Prevention of and Protection against Discrimination with a view to explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The State party should intensify its efforts to combat stereotypes and prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, including by:                                        

(a) Organizing awareness-raising campaigns aimed at the general public;                                        

(b) Providing appropriate training to public officials so as to put an end to the social stigmatization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons;                               

(c) Ensuring that all reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons are effectively investigated and that perpetrators of violence on the grounds of sexual orientation are prosecuted and sanctioned.