Timeline: weekend news digest by CIVIL (June 11-12, 2016)

Weekend news digest of main events for Republic of Macedonia (11-12 June 2016): A Special department needs to be established in the Court || The government records without authorization || Only a resignation can justify Gjorgje Ivanov || The International Federation of Journalists condemns the arrest of Zoran Bozinovski || NGO’s need to be involved in updating of Voter’s Register || The SPO does not comment political statements || The small parties should also be included in the negotiations. 

11.06.2016

A Special department needs to be established in the Court

Lawyer Zvonko Davidovic, says that it is the utmost time for a special department to be established in the court, which will handle the investigations of the Special Prosecution. Some of the lawyers consider that the Special department could function only if it is known in advance that its judges are independent, without any external influences. Lawyer Davidovic says that following the example of the Special Prosecution, the Special Department, as a separate body, could function independently.

The government records without authorization and “distributes” footages to its media

Footage of the Colorful Revolution protest, when protestors were painting the street in front of the Assembly of Republic of Macedonia, was published on an Internet portal that is under the strict control of the government. The portal that released the footage, wrote that “they got the footage”, but do not indicate how and who they got the material from. Lawyer Sandra Gavrilovska, stated for CIVIL Media that the MOI has a right to give photos to the media, but that the media have to indicate the source of the recorded material they are publishing.

Only a resignation can justify Gjorgje Ivanov

Only a resignation can justify Gjorgje Ivanov, following his decision for a group pardoning of 56 politicians, most of which are cases that the SPO is working on, which later he withdrew. This is the opinion of the opposition block (DUI, DPA, SDSM) in anticipation of the Assembly Session at which the request for the impeachment of Ivanov is to be reviewed.

12.06.2016

The International Federation of Journalists condemns the arrest of Zoran Bozinovski

The International Federation of Journalists, at its 29th World Congress, which took place from 7 to 10 of June in the French city of Angers, adopted an urgent resolution proposed by the Association of Journalists of Macedonia, which condemns the Macedonian authorities for the arrest of journalist Zoran Bozinovski, states the Association of Journalists of Macedonia.

NGO’s need to be involved in updating of Voter’s Register

“MOST” is requesting a greater role in the working group of the SEC for the updating of the Voters Register. Zlatko Dimitrovski from this civil society association says that if the goal of the formation of the group was to be to really change some things, than NGO’s shouldn’t be just ordinary observers.

 The SPO does not comment political statements

We do not comment political statements, said the Special Prosecution following the statement of the Mayor of Gazi Baba Toni Trajkovski, who had previously invited Special Prosecutor Katica Janeva for them to debate on the “TNT” case that the SPO opened. “All evidence have been given to the Court, and do not serve to prove to the public”, says the SPO.

Trajkovski accused Janeva of hiding all facts and arguments and of openly taking the position that some illegal buildings need to be treated differently from the rest.

The small parties should also be included in the negotiations

The four leaders, signatories to the Przino Agreement, have failed to implement what was agreed, therefore, there is no reason for them to negotiate again on new elections and a transitional government, is the opinion of several smaller parties. From the Coalition for justice and changes they insist that other political parties, the media and civil society be actively involved in the negotiations process.

 CIVIL holds training for citizen journalist 

CIVIL – Center for Freedom held a training for citizen journalists on Saturday in Hotel City Park in Skopje for dozens of interested citizens, who sent applied for the competition “Be a citizen journalist”.

CIVIL publishes this news digest of main events, opinion and other important and interesting news with an aim to contribute to objective information on the events and processes, including events that some media in Republic of Macedonia do not cover or provide very little information.