The Basic Court in Gostivar hosted a capacity building activity on the “Protection of Honour and Reputation in the Context of the Right to Freedom of Expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The activity brought together judges from the Basic Courts of Kicevo, Tetovo and Gostivar and was organised in co-operation with the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors.
The training provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their knowledge and exchange experiences regarding the application of European standards and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights related to freedom of expression and its permissible limitations. The discussions focused on balancing freedom of expression with the protection of privacy, with particular emphasis on Article 10 of the Convention, relevant European Court jurisprudence, and the domestic legal framework. Participants also tackled the role of the media as public watchdogs, the legal test to assess restrictions on freedom of expression, and the criteria applicable in cases involving defamation, insult, and protection of reputation.
Through practical examples and case-law analysis, the training further encouraged reflection on the importance of proportionality and judicial reasoning when adjudicating cases involving competing rights and interests. Particular attention was paid to ensuring that judicial decisions safeguard both freedom of expression as a cornerstone of democratic society and the legitimate protection of the rights and reputation of others.
This event marks the second in a series of capacity-building activities planned for 2026, with two additional sessions to follow in Stip and Bitola. It forms part of the continuous efforts of the PRO-FREX action to strengthen the capacities of judicial institutions and support the consistent application of European standards related to freedom of expression and the protection of human rights in North Macedonia.
This initiative is implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression within the framework of the action “Protecting Freedom of Expression and of the Media in North Macedonia” (PRO-FREX), under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.