At the moment Republic of Macedonia is a country with candidate status for membership in the European Union and in that line are the Macedonian Government’s efforts. The citizens of Macedonia can give their contribution to this process and their role and contribution should be taken into account. In April 2006, the Government brought decision for establishing Inter-Departmental Body for Human Rights as part of the Ministry of Justice. This body will strengthen and coordinate the cooperation between the state institutions responsible for issues connected with the human rights. The body will prepare and deliver annual repots.

In May 2006 the Inter-Departmental Commission for following the obligations that come out of the European Social Charter was established. Still the Protocol 1 is not ratified. In the Action Plan for European Partnership 2005, it is planned harmonization of the national legislation with the EU in the field of anti-discrimination and equal opportunities. In the second quarter of 2006, according to the Action Plan it was planned the harmonization of the national legislation with the legislation of EU in the field of anti-discrimination and equal opportunities. But now, in the middle of 2007, Macedonia still has not adopted the Law on protection from discrimination.

The working document of the European Commission Departments, Report on development of Republic of Macedonia in 2006 (COM (2006) 649 final), gives an overview on situation in different fields. In 2006 it was adopted the Law on equality between men and woman. The law’s aim is to incorporate the EU definitions for indirect discrimination and harassment as form of discrimination, as well as the Provisions for burden of proof in the national legislation. With the new law, the institution mechanisms for equal opportunities are improved through the establishment of the Department for Equal Opportunities at the Ministry for Labor and Social Policy as well as through binding the local authorities to establish Committee for Equal Opportunities and to assign Coordinators for Equal Opportunities.

There is a certain development realized in different fields, including education, health protection, participation in politics and non-governmental sector, but still there is clear need for additional activities in relation to the employment, situation with woman from ethnic minorities in rural areas, violation and woman trafficking. The preparations in these fields are advancing. With the implementation of the UN Convention for elimination of all forms of woman discrimination, generally it is positively evaluated by the UN in many fields. The Law on protection of rights and dignity of people with disability, proposed to the Assembly of R. Macedonia as a result of the first successful citizen initiative by the Coalition of 23 organizations that are working in the field of disability, coordinated by Polio Plus and massively supported by the citizen sector, is in the Parliament procedure.

The National Strategy for the rights of people with disability should be revised during 2007. The condition of the institutions for protection of people with impairments in psychological development is still not at the desired level. It is necessary that the Government continues with the development of the policies for social care, including the community as an alternative for the institutions. Some of the existing Daily Centers for care and protection of people with impairments in psychological development are functioning well; still the conditions in the hospitals and closed institutions are differing a lot. In February, the Government adopted the Action Plan for protection of children rights and established National Coordinative Body. The plan was reinforced with a Development program for implementation. In April, the National Strategy for Development of Education for the period of 2005-2015 was adopted.

There is a development achieved in relation to the education of the minorities. Still, the challenges concerning the reforms in the educational system are existing. The budget for education is limited. Still the evaluation of impact on the process of decentralization should be done. Legal framework for rights of minorities guarantees high level of protection. The situation with the Roma Community is further on worrying. A certain advancement concerning the implementation of the four Action Plans is done in the framework of the Decade for Roma inclusion 2005-2015. They are giving base for development of the education, accommodation, employment and health protection, though they still have limited influence. Special funds are established within relevant Ministries for supporting the implementation of the Action Plans. Meaningful activities can not be pointed in the field of social inclusion. In relation to the fundamental rights, there are few new achievements. The Ombudsman has bigger role in protection of personal rights.In 2005 were sent 3.935 complaints, which are 56% more, compared with 2004. Though in the report stands “It is not possible to point out special activities in the field of fight against discrimination”, we should not forget the two initiatives raised two years ago, by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Macedonia and Macedonian Center for International Cooperation and the Monitoring Mission of OSCE in Macedonia.

The process is started in certain field, but it remains crucial the organized approach in the creating the general legal framework for protection from discrimination. According to these overviews Macedonia shows certain development. Still, it is crucial the cooperation on horizontal level between the different creators of politics. The interest and attention of citizen’s society are in direction to the Government’s efforts for improving the status of the vulnerable groups aiming at building society which offers equal opportunities for all its citizens.