Thursday, 11 September 2014, Oslo
ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, MR. TRAJKO VELJANOSKI ON FUNDAMENTAL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS - PARTICIPATION, TRUST AND PUBLIC DEBATE AS CONDITIONS FOR DEMOCRACY
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Excellences,
First and foremost allow me to express appreciation to the President of the Stroting, Mr. Olemik Tomessen for the organization of the European Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of EU and for the hospitality we have found in Oslo.
I am pleased by the fact that this particular topic is part of the European Conference, especially considering the challenges that the modern democratic in the recent years.
Allow me to underline that one of the fundamental values of the constitutional order of the Republic of Macedonia are the fundamental human and civil freedoms and rights, which are stipulated with the Constitution, not only declaratively listed, but guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.
Embedded in the Constitution, the fundamental freedoms and rights are protected from the possibility one to limit them via law or other act, in other words, they are given the position they deserve. In this context, the Constitution envisages legal protection, procedure before the courts as well as procedure before the Constitutional Court.
It is my personal opinion that the fundamental civil freedoms and rights, as the basis of the democratic system should be constantly worked on, upgrading their protection and finding new or accept and implement already checked and plausible manners. In this direction, guided by the example of the European states (Germany, Spain, Austria, Slovenia…) and aiming to increase the protection of the rights and freedoms of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, there is an ongoing procedure for introduction of the institute Constitutional Plea in the Constitution. As I have said, the goal of this institute is to strengthen the protection of the human rights and freedoms defined in the Constitution.
This initiative proposes introduction of competence of the Constitutional Court to decide upon the constitutional plea, submitted against individual acts or actions of the state organs which violate the human and civil fundamental freedoms and rights, which refer to: discrimination, right of life, torture, right of freedom, presumption of innocence and fair trial, freedom of conviction, consciousness, thought and public expression of thought, freedom of speech and religion, public appearance and information.
We, as representatives elected by the people should be aware and awake for the real risks and threats for the democracy, but also to be skilful in finding appropriate responds and solutions thereof.
The trust of the citizens, emphasizing the youth in the institutions and the system requires special attention. Through the democratic elements of appropriate interaction, through appropriate shapes and manner of inclusion in the decision making process will mean general welfare and prosperity of the democratic society. We are witnessing that rise of the public awareness for active inclusion in the social processes, raising the awareness that the system does not provide obligations for the citizens, but also a right to participate in the creating of the system. In the Republic of Macedonia we are constantly working in this direction. In the work of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia, 5 years ago, we have introduces a modern electronic system E- Parliament, which makes the overall legislative process extremely accessible for the citizens. Every citizen can monitor the adoption of each act in the Assembly, but also to provide their own view, to include themselves in the process in a selected manner.
Offices for Communication with the Citizens were opened seizing the opportunities given by the internet communication; legislative changes were made in direction of promotion the public debate, public discussion in regards solutions of wider public interest.
We should have a dedicated approach to the fact that the democracy as a shape of a society is more than a sum of individual freedoms and rights, more that delegating and decision making process.
We have to constantly and with dedication work for strengthening their trust and interest for the participation in the public debate and inclusion in the processes which will contribute in more successful functioning of the democracy as a system.
Thank you.