Manchevski: The new Government shall work toward the improvement of the situation with LGBTI rights


May 17th – the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) is a day of serious conversations and celebration of diversity, stated the Dutch Ambassador Wouter Plomp on today’s conference dedicated to the situation with LGBTI rights in Macedonia, and the country’s progress toward EU-integration.

– In Holland we have many debates on the LGBTI community, the fight against discrimination, as well as a specific article in the law which refers to this. The EU has adopted directions for these specific issues, which are a foundation for democracy. We often amend laws and practices which are in favor of the country’s citizens. Legal changes are important for all citizens, because they promote and improve their rights, which are basic and universal human rights, such as the right to life, the right to safety, the right to protection in the law, the right to family. They are crucial to the EU, and they must occur in Macedonia as well. LGBTI people must become more visible, more present in mainstream media and debates, and politicians should talk about these issues both within their parties and in public, Plomp said.

The activist and chairman of “Subversive Front”, Antonio Mihajlov stated that despite the fact that the WHO removed homosexuality from the list of diseases, pathologization is still widespread when it comes to trans people.

– Trans people are still included in the medical classification, under the term “gender dysphoria”. Fortunately, Macedoniia decriminalized homosexuality. There have been some laws within the last 10 years: some contain sexual orientation as a protected ground, but gender identity does not exist in our legislation, as well as the practice of amending laws. Macedonia is at the bottom of the European countries list. In 2017, many issues remain unresolved, Mihajlov said, adding that the European Commission noted these issues in Macedonia’s Progress Report.

He stated that six hate crimes have been registered, five of which have not been resolved yet, while the remaining one has been classified simply as violence, instead of a hate crime.

– We still have no Pride event, activists have not stepped forward publicly, no responsibility is taken by the politicians and the community. There is a need of greater visibility of problems and needs. Protection against discrimination is a priority, as well as sex education, which is necessary to combat discrimination and homophobia, Mihajlov stated.

He asked the party representatives in attendance and the new government to implement the following five points in order to improve the situation of the LGBTI community.

1. Improvement and strengthening of the legal framework in order for the protection against discrimination to cover everyone, including LGBTI people
2. Introduction of comprehensive sex education within formal education programmes
3. Reform of the Commission for protection against discrimination, by increasing its independence and competence
4. Resolution of the submitted reports of hate crimes and hate speech on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)
5. Increase of public awareness of the needs and problems of the LGBTI people by, among other things, support in the organization of a Pride parade.

On the conference, the Vice-president of the SDSM, Damjan Manchevski, stated that this is a symbolic day and welcomed the fact that the political parties speak of these issues. However, he emphasized that within the political parties themselves, consensus is rare.

– What are we going to do? All that we promised earlier. We publicly state that one of the priorities is to establish an entirely new system to eliminate all forms of discrimination, reform of the Commission with new members which shall be dedicated to working on these rights, and amendments of the Law on prevention and protection against discrimination. We will hold trainings for judges in order for them to be able to recognize discrimination within court procedures. We are witnessing hate violence. Everyone should enjoy their human rights, regardless of their sexual orientation. We publicly recognize that this category of people has been one of the most discriminated groups of citizens in the recent years, Manchevski said.

He accentuated that the state, instead of hate speech, shall promote tolerance toward everyone who is different, and that the LGBTI community can consider the new government a partner.

At the end of the Conference, the “Ally of the Year” award was given to Ivon Velichkovski, leader of the Liberal party.

– This is not a recognition for me, but for a team of people who believe in freedom for everyone. In the future campaigns there should not be a question for what we, the political parties, are standing for when it comes to LGBTIQI rights, all of them, the rights should be already implemented. Persist in your faith and determination, and we will persist in what we advocate for, Velichkovski stated upon receiving the award.