The Dutch Ambassador actively attended a widely televized Press conference and promotion of the first ever Annual report for 2007 on human rights of LGBT (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgender) people in Macedonia. The authors being the Macedonian Association for Free Sexual Orientation (MASSO -  http://www.masso.org.mk/). Mr. Koco Andonovski, president of MASSO stated that up to 1996 homosexuality in Macedonia was considered to be a criminal act punishable by imprisonment. Since then the Government has not taken enough concrete steps towards the protection and promotion of the right of LGBT individuals. As a positive step he mentioned a special non-discriminatory article banning discrimination on the basis of the sexual orientation. MASSO pointed a finger to the press which often reflects a negative attitude towards LGBT issues.  

As a case regarding the violation of the basic human rights and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in 2007, Andonovski referred to an incident with the Skopje municipality Center, Its mayor, Mrs.Violeta Alarova, had banned an innocent and completely regular closing party of the QUEER SQUARE 2007 Skopje with the explanation that the planned party was inappropriate.

Ambassador Filippini briefly explained the policy as to LGBT people in the Netherlands. Being the conutry in Europe with the eldest NGO defending the rights of homosexuals (COC –  www.coc.nl) the Netherlands has come a long way in the past decades. She underlined the fact that this issue is about love, tolerance and respect for others peoples individual lives and choices. That it is related to basic values in Europe. She put forth the rhetorical question whether any Macedonian would reject his or her child on the basis of it being homosexual.       

The Dutch strongly support the initiatives of MASSO. Macedonian governement will be encouraged to respect all the positive EU legislation regarding human rights and non-discrimination. In May the Netherlands Embassy will organize a public round table discussion on LGBT issues with a view to make sexual orientation discussable.  

The event during which also the Slovenian ambassador gave a statement, received a lot of media attention, mostly positive.

TV

 http://www.telma.com.mk/vest.aspx?vest=93

 http://www.kanal5.com.mk/ShowNews.aspx?ItemID=29174&mid=1500&tabId=1&tabindex=0

 http://alsat-m.com/mk/index.php?id=546

Written press

 http://www.vest.com.mk/default.asp?id=147162&idg=8&idb=2293&rubrika=Makedonija

 http://utrinski.com.mk/?ItemID=B375EFDF2F1BBE44B513C85ADC04B026

 http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/?itemID=91D08FB0C1C36E47BDCD51B3E4BD06CE&arc=1