OSCE Mission to Skopje supports public discussion of amendments to improve investigation of police misconduct

SKOPJE, 11 November 2008 - Legislative amendments to enhance the role of prosecutors in investigating crimes allegedly committed by law enforcement officials will be presented during a public debate which started in Skopje today.

The debate is the last in a series of public discussions to introduce a new external oversight mechanism, which aims to ensure effective investigation of alleged misconduct by law enforcement officials, especially cases involving serious human rights violations. The project was initiated by the Association of Public Prosecutors and supported by the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje.

"Independent mechanisms that allow impartial and effective investigations to be conducted are essential to ensuring accountability and public confidence in the law enforcement system," said the Acting Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Natalya Drozd.

Gordana Geskoska, president of the Association of Public Prosecutors, said: "The amendments to the law on criminal procedure and the law on public prosecutors will prevent politicization of the police and other law enforcement bodies, while at the same time help to protect human rights."