The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, published a memorandum today on the human rights of Roma and the human rights implications of serious environmental challenges in North Macedonia, following his visit from 22 to 25 April 2025.

Regarding the human rights of Roma, the Commissioner commends North Macedonia’s long-standing commitment, particularly through the National Strategy for Roma Inclusion (2022–2030). He acknowledges efforts by government bodies, the Ombudsperson, and the Commission for Prevention and Protection from Discrimination, and notes the key role of civil society in empowering Roma communities. He welcomes the involvement of Roma women in all these structures.

The Commissioner notes progress in Roma children’s access to education and highlights good practices. However, he urges improved access to preschool; targeted efforts to reduce dropout rates by addressing the key causes, including poverty, migration and early marriage; and action to address the plight of the estimated 400 children in street situations. He stresses the need to eliminate school segregation of Roma children through enforcement of catchment area rules, local desegregation plans designed with Roma input, outreach to non-Roma parents and monitoring of progress through a national mapping of affected schools. He encourages continued commitment to implementing the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment in Elmazova v. North Macedonia.

Concerning policing and justice, while welcoming the acknowledgement of police violence against Roma as a manifestation of antigypsyism in the national strategy, the Commissioner expresses concern over continued reports of ethnic profiling, excessive use of force during arrests, and impunity for cases of unlawful use of force. He recommends that the authorities reiterate their stance of zero-tolerance for police violence, including against Roma. This should be followed through with effective investigations into allegations of abuse, including possible racist motives, and action on the fight against impunity for such acts. He also recommends strengthening the External Oversight Mechanism.

The Commissioner further commends progress in eradicating statelessness and improving civil registration among Roma which is crucial to ensure access to human rights. He recommends full implementation of the new legal frameworks and proactive engagement with vulnerable communities to prevent future cases.

The Commissioner also raises concerns about environmental risks disproportionately affecting Roma, including air and waste pollution, lack of sanitation, and exclusion from public services. He notes the positive contribution of Roma informal waste recyclers and is impressed by social initiatives to formally recognise and employ them.

Turning to broader environmental issues, the Commissioner notes North Macedonia’s strong legal and policy framework and international commitments, including constitutional recognition of the right to a healthy environment, criminalising ecocide and pledging to phase out coal. Yet, poor implementation negatively impacts health and human rights, with cities like Skopje, Bitola, and Tetovo among the most polluted in Europe. Challenges remain in waste management, pollution control, and public access to environmental information.

Access to effective remedies is central to ensuring a human rights based approach to combating environmental degradation. In light of the October 2024 General Position adopted by the Supreme Court which affirms the right to clean air, the Commissioner recommends ensuring that courts are empowered to address environmental human rights violations. He also recommends training for judges and prosecutors on the interplay between the environment and human rights.

The Commissioner further notes the need to support environmental human rights defenders, including through access to funding and safeguards against vexatious lawsuits.

Finally, the Commissioner observes that member states have a positive obligation under the European Convention on Human Rights to address the effects of climate change. Citing the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, he recommends adopting the Climate Law as soon as possible, establishing an operational greenhouse gas inventory, and updating the National Determined Contribution under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. He also notes the need to strengthen procedural safeguards through access to public information, participation, and accountability in environmental processes.
 

Il Piemonte sta lavorando per trovare un’alternativa al blocco delle auto Euro 5 nei Comuni sopra i 100mila abitanti (Torino e Novara) che per legge nazionale sarà attivato dal primo ottobre 2026. La norma è il risultato appunto della legge statale e di un emendamento che ha spostato in avanti di un anno l’entrata in vigore delle limitazioni, prevista inizialmente per il 2025, e aumentato le dimensioni dei centri urbani interessati.
La Commissione Ambiente, presieduta da Sergio Bartoli, oggi ha infatti espresso parere positivo a maggioranza alla delibera di Giunta che adegua alla nuova norma il Piano regionale per la qualità dell’aria, approvato a dicembre 2024.  
“Come prevede la legge – ha spiegato l’assessore Matteo Marnati – invece delle limitazioni al traffico, le Regioni possono adottare misure alternative che raggiungano lo stesso scopo di limitazione dell’inquinamento. Per questo intendiamo riattivare una struttura speciale, che sarà coordinata dal direttore regionale Angelo Robotto, per coadiuvare gli studi di Arpa Piemonte, Politecnico e Università che dispongono già di dati da studiare e attiveranno altri laboratori. Dobbiamo anche valutare – ha proseguito Marnati - l’impatto dell’utilizzo dei biocarburanti di origine vegetale, che in alcuni territori sono già in distribuzione. Intendiamo raggiungere una certificazione piemontese per questo biocarburante che si potrebbe usare anche per il Tpl. Inoltre, vogliamo utilizzare l’Intelligenza artificiale per rendere più scorrevole il traffico e quindi portare ad una riduzione importante degli inquinanti”.
Nella discussione sono intervenuti: il consigliere Alberto Unia (M5s), che ha posto il problema dei Comuni limitrofi a quelli superiori ai 100mila abitanti, le consigliere Gianna Pentenero (Pd) e Vittoria Nallo (Sue) per chiarimenti sulla struttura che dovrà valutare ed elaborare le nuove misure, il consigliere Davide Zappalà (FdI) che ha sollecitato il coinvolgimento di tutte le province del Piemonte.

Bei dem Gespräch wurde die Unabhängigkeit dieser Stellen im Interesse der Bürgerinnen und Bürger betont

Der Bürgermeister von Bozen, Claudio Corrarati hat im Rathaus die Südtiroler Volksanwältin Veronika Meyer und die Verantwortliche der Antidiskriminierungsstelle, Priska Garbin empfangen. Am Treffen nahm auch der Stadtrat für Demographische Dienste und Integration der Stadt Bozen, Tritan Myftiu teil.

Das Gespräch fand in einer angenehmen und konstruktiven Atmosphäre statt. Es wurde betont, dass die Volksanwaltschaft und die Antidiskriminierungsstelle auf Landesebene einen sehr wichtigen Dienst für den Schutz der Rechte der Bürgerinnen und Bürger ausüben und Garanten sind für die gute Arbeit der öffentlichen Verwaltung. Der Bürgermeister lobte den Einsatz der Mitarbeitenden der beiden Einrichtungen und wies darauf hin, dass für eine gut funktionierende und moderne Verwaltung unabhängige Stellen wie diese sehr wichtig sind.

Die Volkanwaltschaft ist beim Südtiroler Landtag angesiedelt. Sie agiert in vollständiger Unabhängigkeit und gewährleistet Unparteilichkeit und Autorität. Ihre Tätigkeit ist durch spezifische Rechtsbestimmungen geregelt. Die im Mai 2024 bestellte Volkanwältin Veronika Meyer ist Juristin mit einer internationalen Ausbildung.

Auch Priska Garbin, die als Verantwortliche der Antidiskriminierungsstelle wiederbestätigt worden ist, hat eine wichtige Aufgabe bei der Bekämpfung aller Formen von Diskriminierung und bei der Förderung einer Kultur der Gleichberechtigung und der Inklusion. Die Antidiskriminierungsstelle gibt es seit 2022 und an sie können sich die Bürgerinnen und Bürger wenden, die Diskriminierung erlitten haben. Frau Garbin wurde auf Vorschlag der Volksanwältin und nach Anhören des Gutachtens des Beirates der Antidiskriminierungsstelle ernannt, wie in den geltenden Rechtsbestimmungen vorgesehen.

Die Gemeindeverwaltung Bozen hat bekräftigt, dass sie eine engere Zusammenarbeit mit der Volksanwaltschaft und mit der Antidiskriminierungsstelle anstrebt, denn der Schutz der Rechte, die Bekämpfung von Diskriminierung und eine transparente Verwaltung sind die Grundpfeiler für eine gleichberechtigte und solidarische Gesellschaft.

La recomendación del Ararteko surgió tras analizar una queja presentada por una vecina de Bilbao que no logró ser atendida de forma presencial ni telefónica por esta entidad municipal, dependiente del Ayuntamiento de Bilbao.

La ciudadana señaló que intentó contactar por varios medios sin obtener respuesta, y que incluso se personó en las oficinas centrales sin que se le ofreciera atención directa. Según relató, fue derivada a instalaciones deportivas donde tampoco pudieron ayudarle adecuadamente.

Tras estudiar el caso y solicitar información al Ayuntamiento, el Ararteko constató la falta de respuesta institucional a la reclamación de la interesada, así como la insuficiencia del modelo de atención multicanal alegado por la entidad. 

Esta defensoría recuerda que los servicios públicos deben garantizar la atención presencial como una opción válida, especialmente para quienes no pueden o no desean usar medios electrónicos.

El Ararteko subraya, además, que la buena administración exige ofrecer un trato próximo, eficaz y accesible, en línea con los compromisos adquiridos en las cartas de servicios. Además, insiste en que las administraciones deben responder a las quejas ciudadanas de forma efectiva y en plazo.

Bilbao Kirolak ha comunicado al Ararteko que acepta la recomendación.

The State Counselor in the Department for the Protection of the Rights of Children and Persons with Disabilities of the Ombudsman, MA Vaska Bajramovska Mustafa, held a working meeting today with Irena Dodevska, Policy Advisor, and Aleksandra Gjorgjioska Marchevski, Program Development Advisor, at SOS Children's Village.

At the meeting, experiences and knowledge were exchanged on the situation with the rights of children placed in alternative care, biological families and youth at risk, as well as the protection of the rights of these children and the need for greater information for children and youth about the ways and mechanisms for protecting their rights.

The representatives of SOS Children's Village informed the State Advisor to the Ombudsman about the policies for ensuring the safety of children and youth in foster families and Small Group Homes (SGH), for supported living, as housing units for youth at SOS Children's Village, and in that context, they discussed future joint activities for promoting the rights of the child, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Ombudsman as a mechanism for the protection of children's rights, to bring the institution closer to this target group, as well as joint activities for the prevention of children and youth from all types of abuse and violence, including peer violence.