High Commissioner for Human Rights Council expressed deep concern because of the political impasse in Macedonia and its impact on human rights.
Such concerns was expressed in recent days by almost all relevant international organizations, which is a signal that foreigners are seriously interested in the situation in the country.
President Gjorgje Ivanov spoke to Jess Bailey, Ambassador of the United States, Aivo Orav, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Marian Bertzi, representative of the OSCE Mission and Captain Rumen Radev, Head of the Liaison Office of NATO.
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski met with the head of the largest European People’s Party (EPP), Joseph Daul.
According to him, Daul took responsibility to closely monitor the case, to be informed and, if necessary, to personally help in the future.
Spokeswoman of Commissioner of Human Rights Council Cécile Pouilly said that the High Commissioner was “particularly disturbed” by the content of the recently released recorded conversations that incriminate senior representatives for numerous violations of human rights, including electoral fraud, harassment, pressure on the judiciary and the media, as well as mass wiretapping.
– We urge the authorities to start fast, independent, thorough and impartial investigation of all allegations of violations of the law, regardless of their source, and provide the results to be available to the public – Pouilly said, urging the authorities to hold accountable those responsible for whom the investigation will show that violated the law and human rights.
European MP from the Liberals Ivo Vajgl also confirmed that he and his colleagues, Richard Howitt of the Socialist Group and Edward Kukan of Christian political group, will engage in order to help the Macedonian major parties to start negotiating.
As announced in the media, at the end of this month is expected a meeting between the closest associates of the leaders of VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM with MEPs in Brussels at the European Parliament (EP).
Close associates of the leaders of the two parties, who would have a mandate to lead talks in a constructive way, are expected to arrive at the meeting.
Previously, this information was also announced by the European Commission through spokeswoman Maja Kocijanchik:
– It remains a political commitment of the parties in Macedonia to show responsibility and to engage in constructive dialogue to overcome the current impasse and to focus on the strategic priorities of the country and its citizens.
Kocijanchik also confirmed that the Public Prosecution asked foreign experts to engage in the process of the criminal part of the political crisis. She said that the European Commission is still grappling with how she could help in the judicial part of the scandals “Puch” and “Wiretapping”.
The prosecution, after inviting foreign experts, felt the need to clarify this procedure, so for the television “Alsat-M,” its representatives said:
“Experts have been familiar with the work on subjects related to current events, but without giving specific guidelines for the investigation and making public prosecution-related decisions. International experts will be familiar with the work of competent prosecutors of the subjects in terms of objectivity and impartiality in handling and application of standards.
Prosecution invitation to foreign experts was welcomed by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski in his speech on Sunday in the hall “Boris Trajkovski” in Skopje. On the same wave length for expert assistance from abroad in the proceedings is also SDSM leader Zoran Zaev, with the difference he first demands the resignation of the current head of the prosecution, Marko Zvrlevski.
A few days ago, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajchak stated for META news agency that the situation in the country is critical.
– With great concern I follow developments because the allegations presented by the leader of the opposition is very serious and because Macedonia is an EU candidate country, I think it is a question that the foreign ministers of the EU should discuss. We must discover where the truth is. It is important, not only for us, but also for the citizens of Macedonia. Impartial and objective investigation is needed – said Lajchak.
According to Lajchak, investigation would be a good way to prevent destabilization.
– If this is not done, there will be many interpretations of what happened and it can lead to destabilization. It’s not something I want to talk about, but I think that we have to react. These allegations are very serious, the truth must be established – Lajchak said.
These are messages from the international community that it has sent in recent days. They were preceded by a statement of the OSCE to respect freedom of speech and to condemn hate speech.
These messages can be an indicator that the political and institutional crisis in which Macedonia has entered more than one month, could not find the right exit without foreign politicians. Probably the public agrees with the idea foreigners to manage (as requested by SDSM) or monitor it (request of VMRO-DPMNE) though, it seems, political parties still have not modeled the way on which European politicians would involve in this, so far, impossible mission.
