Contents of the Initial Report of the Republic of Macedonia on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities PART I 1. Policy of the state concerning the protection of national minorities 1.1 Statement on the policy of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia concerning the protection of national minorities 2. Information on the status of international law in the domestic legal order 3. Information on the character of the State 3.1. Principle of separation of powers 3.2. Forms through which citizens exercise their power 4.Main historical events 5. Information on the demographic situation in the country 5.1 Population in the Republic of Macedonia according to ethnic affiliation and its structures 5.2. Marriage and Divorce Rates of the population according to ethnic affiliation 5.3. Migration of population 6. Information on the existence of so-called minority-in-minority situations in certain areas 7. Basic economic indicators 7.1. Workforce by ethnic affiliation 7. 2. Basic economic indicators for the Republic of Macedonia for the period 1994 to 2001 PART II Article 1 Article 2 Article 3 Article 4 Article 5 Article 6 Article 7 Article 8 Article 9 Article 10 Article 11 Article 12 Article 13 Article 14 Article 15 Article 16 Article 17 Article 18 Article 19 Article 20 Article 21 Article 22 Article 23 Article 30 PART III Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 3 2 Initial Report of the Republic of Macedonia on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities Part I 1. Policy of the state concerning the protection of national minorities There is a many decades long tradition of enjoyment and promotion of minority rights in the Republic of Macedonia. One of the basic strategic commitments and objectives of the Republic of Macedonia is the improvement of relations between the Macedonian people and citizens who are part of the Albanian, Turkish, Vlach, Serbian, Roma and Bosniac peoples, as well as other citizens, and in that context a particular attention is paid to full realization of the constitutionally guaranteed rights of members of all communities. The protection of minority rights is based on the feeling but also the need for mutual understanding and tolerance deeply rooted in the history of the Macedonian people and members of communities living in this area, but also on the respect and implementation of standards in accordance with international treaties and practice in this field. One may note that as far as the protection and promotion of minority rights are concerned the Republic of Macedonia is at the higher level of application of the international and European standards in this sphere. The implementation of the meaningful policy for improving the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in the Republic of Macedonia is a long- term commitment, the main aim of which is to develop a society with highly developed feeling of integration and belonging of all citizens, on one hand, and the developed feeling for individual freedoms and respect for all individual cultural, linguistic, religious and other features, on the other. Members of various communities should contribute to but also be a bridge to building friendly and good-neighborly relations, as well as to creating a constructive cooperation among the countries in the region. The respect for the rights of persons belonging to national minorities is expected to contribute to stability and peace, not only in the Republic of Macedonia, but in the entire region of South Eastern Europe. 1.1 Statement on the policy of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia concerning the protection of national minorities Excerpts from the Program of Work of the Government for the period 2002 to 2006 1presented to the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia on 31 October 2002. The priority tasks and goals of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia will, inter alia, include the following: - full and consistent implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement; - reestablishment of trust among citizens of different ethnic affiliation and elimination of possible feeling of discrimination, fear and mistrust; - protection of human rights and freedoms and the constitutionally guaranteed equality of citizens irrespective of their ethnic, religious and ideological affiliation. 1 The excerpts relate only to the topics relevant for this Report. 3 The program identifies measures and activities for its implementation in different spheres: In the sphere of education, the following is, among other things, foreseen: Strengthening of the integrating capacity of education through functioning of a unified education system, as well as through education forms such as workshops for building inter-ethnic trust and understanding, tolerance, civil awareness, fostering of the culture of peace. Harmonization of education legislation with the provisions of the Framework Agreement and the Law on Local Self-Government that is to say the Law on Financing of Local Self-Government. In the sphere of culture and cultural heritage the following is foreseen: Urgent adoption of the National (state) cultural program which will constitute a strategy for development of culture in the country and which will determine national interest in the sphere of culture at the state and local levels; Creation of stable legal, organizational and financial grounds for development and maintenance of cultural and traditional values of the Macedonian people and of parts of other peoples living in Macedonia. Establishment and support to the institutions the aim of which is to foster and preserve cultural identity of citizens of different ethnic origin and of different religions. Protection of cultural heritage of the Macedonian people and of parts of other peoples living in Macedonia, in particular of monuments of culture from the destruction, negligent conservation and damaging. Taking care of the Macedonian language and of the languages of members of other ethnic communities in Macedonia as the most important segment of the cultural identity of citizens and as part of the national treasure of Macedonia. Funding and implementation of projects in the sphere of culture aimed at supporting and encouraging inter-ethnic cooperation in Macedonia and at increasing mutual understanding and trust. Affirmation of culture of the Macedonian people and culture of other ethnic communities living in Macedonia and abroad and intensification of international and regional cultural cooperation. In the sphere of good governance, decentralization of power and development of local self-government the following is, inter alia, planned: Promotion of state institutions and of local self-government into a service of the citizens free of party, ideological and ethnic bias, the aim of which is protection and realization of their rights and interests. Harmonization of the Law on Nationality with the international instruments ratified by the Republic of Macedonia, in particular the European Convention on Nationality, and establishment of conditions for speedy regulation of nationality in conformity with appropriate amendments. Termination of party monopolies over public services in the sphere of mass media and creation of conditions for their transformation into a public service to all citizens irrespective of their ideological, political and ethnic affiliation. 4 Elaboration and implementation of an action plan with clearly set deadlines for passing the remaining laws aimed at decentralization and development of local self- government (such as the Law on Financing of Local Self-Government, Law on Territorial Division of Municipalities in the Republic of Macedonia and amendments to laws which provide for new competences of municipalities and sources for funding such competences). Lasting peace in Macedonia and security of every citizen in all parts of the territory of Macedonia will be provided, inter alia, through: Building of inter-ethnic trust based on the respect for publicly pledged word and respect for the signed agreements, principles and values enshrined in international law. Passing of the remaining laws resulting from the constitutional changes and the Framework agreement within the set deadlines. Promotion of a climate of mutual solidarity and interdependence in resolving problems shared by the citizens and leaving behind historical atavism, conflicts, divisions and intolerance. Prevention of any form of violence and pressure for ethnic cleansing of certain settlements or parts of the territory of Macedonia. Establishment of conditions for the return of persons forcefully displaced from their homes through urgent reconstruction of their houses and of the economic facilities destroyed during the 2001 conflict, but also through promotion of new economic capacities and employment opportunities in ethnically mixed areas as a precondition for subsistence of people in those regions and prevention of migration pressured by the lack of hope and perspective. Establishment of the Solidarity Fund for overcoming the consequences of the conflict. Creation of capable, professionally well-trained and well equipped security forces of Macedonia to reflect the ethnic structure of the population whose only aim will be to provide security to citizens and defend the country. 2. Information on the status of international law in the domestic legal order The Republic of Macedonia belongs to the group of countries whose legal system is governed by the principles of continental law. The basic sources of law in the Republic of Macedonia