The talks held with both Prime Minister Zaev and Minister of Justice Bojan Maricikj highlighted the necessity for North Macedonia to establish a professional prison service with clear reporting lines and effective management oversight. The steps required to provide minimum conditions of detention for persons held in Idrizovo and Skopje Prisons as well as the development of a purposeful regime was also discussed. There was also recognition that the Ministry of Health needed to play a more proactive role in improving the provision of health care to prisoners.

Prior to the talks, the CPT’s delegation visited Idrizovo and Skopje Prisons to examine the conditions of detention and treatment of prisoners held in these establishments and, more specifically, to review any progress made since the December 2019 periodic visit by the Committee. It also visited the police stations of Bit Pazar, Gazi Baba, Karpoš and Kisela Voda in Skopje.

The CPT’s delegation consisted of the following members Mykola Gnatovskyy, President, Slava Novak and Olivera Vulić (expert) and was accompanied by Hugh Chetwynd, Head of Division and Christian Loda, Administrator from the CPT’s Secretariat.