The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (ZNM) has voiced serious concerns regarding recent decisions by the Appellate Court Skopje, which rejected appeals from journalists who were attacked during the violent events in Parliament on April 27, 2017. The ZNM emphasizes that these decisions undermine the right to safe and free journalism, sending a message that attacks against journalists can go unpunished.

The court’s reasoning has been criticized for suggesting that freedom of expression does not apply during violent events, a position that the ZNM argues is contrary to previous rulings by the Constitutional Court, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the country’s Constitution. The ZNM notes that the Constitutional Court has already deemed such interpretations incorrect and a violation of the right to expression.

The ZNM finds it particularly problematic that the court minimizes the state’s obligation to protect journalists by suggesting that providing such protection should not be an “excessive burden” on institutions. This approach, according to the ZNM, suggests that institutions are prioritizing their own convenience over safeguarding fundamental human rights.

The association stresses that the Constitutional Court’s decisions, even if related to another case, are binding on all institutions, including the Appellate Court. Failure to comply with these obligations represents a significant blow to the rule of law.

The recent judgments by the Appellate Court Skopje affect journalists Natasa Stojanovska, Biljana Nikolovska, Igor Jankovski, and Tome Angelovski, who have been awaiting justice for eight years. The ZNM believes these decisions highlight the continued weakness of legal protection for journalists, and the impunity for perpetrators fosters fear and insecurity among those who report on matters of public interest.

The ZNM urges the judicial and other competent institutions to reconsider these decisions and ensure that journalists receive adequate legal protection. They emphasize that an attack on a journalist is an attack on democracy itself, and all such acts must be thoroughly investigated and sanctioned.

The ZNM has stated that it will continue to closely monitor the development of these cases and advocate for full justice for all journalists who have been victims of violence.