Doc. 10979
26 June 2006

Decriminalisation of defamation in "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"

Written question No 499 to the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers
presented by Mr Bartumeu Cassany

Considering that the Parliament of "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" recently amended the Criminal Code (Chapter 18, articles 172 to 177) with a view to abolishing criminal sentences for defamation,

Noting however the efforts of the country's authorities in recent weeks to imprison Mr Bozinovski, a journalist sentenced to imprisonment for defamation and insult,

Noting that, although Mr Bozinovski's request to have his sentence postponed for three months was favourably received by the authorities, the threat of him being imprisoned once that period has expired remains, whereas criminal sentences for defamation have been abolished,

Recalling the principle of the retrospective effect of criminal law imposing lesser sentences and in view of the request of the accused to re-open the proceedings of his case,

In the absence of a decision from the authorities on that request to date,

To ask the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers,

Whether he has information on this matter and if, and how, he intends to deal with this question.

Signed ¹:

BARTUMEU CASSANY, Jaume, Andorra, SOC

¹     SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
      ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
      EDG: European Democratic Group
      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
      NR: not registered in a group