Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." To strengthen the application of this principle at the domestic level, sixteen judges, senior prosecutors, investigators, advisors, and trainers of the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors took part in a two-day workshop in Ohrid. The event aimed at raising their awareness on Article 3 of the Convention and highlight the  importance of the External Oversight Mechanism. The workshop was supported by EU and Council of Europe and organised in close co-operation with the Council of Europe’s Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors in Skopje, and North Macedonia’s Government Agent to the Court.

The discussions focused on the domestic legislative frameworks aimed at preventing torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, relevant Council of Europe standards in this field, and the state’s positive obligation to carry out effective investigations. Particular attention was given to the Court’s case law relating to North Macedonia. The workshop also reviewed specific judgements of the European Court concerning North Macedonia as well as shortcomings identified under the External Oversight Mechanism and communicated to the state authorities. Participants underlined the crucial role of effective investigations in safeguarding rights guaranteed by Article 3 rights of the Convention.

Participants also reviewed developments over the past decade, discussing the results and challenges faced by the External Oversight Mechanism. The discussions took stock of progress made and identified areas requiring further action to ensure effective protection of human rights.

For over a decade, the European Union and the Council of Europe have been supporting the establishment and functioning of the External Oversight Mechanism, which is addressing cases involving the use of force, coercion, or serious threats by persons with police authority, while being on or off duty,  that result in death, bodily injury, unlawful arrest, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

This activity was conducted under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, and its action “Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia”.