OSCE, UNHCR, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, increase efforts to end statelessness

The OSCE Mission to Skopje, together with the UNHCR Representation in North Macedonia, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and the Committee for Political System and Inter-community Relations kicked-off a regional workshop aimed at supporting the country in its efforts to end statelessness.

“North Macedonia has become a leader in the region as well as globally by making it a national priority to end statelessness by the end of 2023.” said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “It is an ambitious but achievable goal and the Mission, together with UNHCR, is pleased to support this process.”

“I am proud that we became the first country in Europe, as well as the second country in the world, to successfully solve the problem of unregistered persons. I expect that by the end of 2023 these people will get an identity and most importantly they will finally be able to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed human rights without limiting their access to education, health and social protection,” highlighted Minister of Justice Krenar Lloga.

“Not having the basic personal documentation is a problem most often faced by the members of the socially vulnerable groups, precisely when they initiate proceedings before the competent authorities - centres for social work, health institutions, the Employment Agency of the Republic of North Macedonia in order to achieve the basic human rights,” noted Minister of Labour and Social Policy Jovana Trenchevska, adding that “North Macedonia is developing a society in which citizens, regardless of which ethnic community they belong to, [should] feel safe and have equal opportunities for personal development and progress.”

“UNHCR commends the great progress made by North Macedonia for addressing statelessness and hopes that with the harmonized implementation of the latest modifications of the Law on Civil Registry books adopted by the Parliament in June and the hard work of the Registry Office staff, all those missing a birth certificate and those currently temporarily registered will enjoy their rights as proud citizens of the country,” added Cristina Bunea, Officer in Charge of the UNHCR Representation in North Macedonia.

The aim of a series of regional workshops organised by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and UNHCR across the country is to train administrative staff in the practical application of the newly adopted amendments and supplements to the Law on Civil Registry regarding the late registration of unregistered persons in North Macedonia.