The photo exhibition and panel discussion “Let’s bring justice closer to the citizens”, was held this evening in Mala Stanica to celebrate the International Human Rights Day and to raise awareness about the importance of the access to justice for all and the benefits it brings to everyone.  The event was organised with the support of the joint action of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Towards a consolidated and more efficient free legal aid system in North Macedonia”.

During the event the participants had the opportunity to view the exhibition of the best photos selected in the photo competition “Let’s bring justice closer to the citizens”, which was launched on the occasion of the European Day of Justice, with the aim to engage the younger generation in the advocacy of justice and human rights in line with the European standards.

Muhamed Tochi – State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice opened the event, stressing that all citizens should have guaranteed access to justice. “We are all equal and have equal right to legal protection”, said Tochi.

In her address, Elena Jovanovska Brezoska, Head of the South East Europe Unit at the Council of Europe underlined that this year 10 December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “This Declaration forms the backbone of the human rights architecture of our societies, where each of us – without discrimination – has the right to live and develop in peace and security. Human rights are crucial for every person and society  we should use them every day, in our everyday lives, and work to build justice, equality, peace and freedom for all,” said Jovanovska Brezoska.

Jelena Ristikj - Vice President of the Bar Association pointed out the important role of lawyers in providing free legal aid, and underlined that the lawyers have a responsibility to help citizens get justice.

Milica Shutova, Head of the Legal Clinic of the Goce Delcev Shtip University, mentioned that only systemic solutions can contribute to provision of Free Legal Aid and Access to Justice for all.

After the panel discussion, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Justice announced the winners of the photo competition. The first prize was awarded to Stefan Anchevski for the photo “Only Human”. The second prize was awarded to Viktorija Bunteska and the third to Aleksandra Neshkoska. The three winning photos can be found at this link.

Musical performances were given by jazz students from the Music Academy (Goce Delcev University, Shtip).

The event is organised in the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a co-operation initiative to assist beneficiaries in the Western Balkans and Türkiye to comply with the European standards.