Amnesty International is concerned at threats of criminal sanctions against the editors of independent media by the Ministry of the Interior in the run-up to national elections to be held on Saturday 14 September.
According to a statement of 4 September by the Ministry of the Interior (MVR), Interior Minister Ljube Boshkovski warned on 30 August "ambassadors of international organizations and some ambassadors" to Macedonia that the ministry had information that "certain individuals were preparing a scenario to destroy the reputation of the current government in the pre-election period". The statement went on to warn that if such activity continues, the MVR would initiate criminal proceedings against editors of media outlets responsible.
Amnesty International considers this action to be a threat to freedom of expression and an attempt to 'chill' anti-government voices in the run-up to the elections. The organization would consider anybody arrested and detained for non-violent criticism of the government to be a prisoner of conscience.
The statement also personally attacked Dr. Mirjana Najchevska, chairperson of the Macedonian Helsinki Committee, after the Committee released a press release on 3 September raising doubts as to the political impartiality of the police.
According to a statement of 4 September by the Ministry of the Interior (MVR), Interior Minister Ljube Boshkovski warned on 30 August "ambassadors of international organizations and some ambassadors" to Macedonia that the ministry had information that "certain individuals were preparing a scenario to destroy the reputation of the current government in the pre-election period". The statement went on to warn that if such activity continues, the MVR would initiate criminal proceedings against editors of media outlets responsible.
Amnesty International considers this action to be a threat to freedom of expression and an attempt to 'chill' anti-government voices in the run-up to the elections. The organization would consider anybody arrested and detained for non-violent criticism of the government to be a prisoner of conscience.
The statement also personally attacked Dr. Mirjana Najchevska, chairperson of the Macedonian Helsinki Committee, after the Committee released a press release on 3 September raising doubts as to the political impartiality of the police.