On November 21, Megjashi, a member of the Human Rights House in Skopje, received a document by which the Ministry of Defence is severing the leasing contract for their property. Unless another solution is found, one of the oldest and most recognized organizations for children’s rights in Macedonia will be forced to close. (25-NOV-07)

This article is based upon a number of documents presented from the First children´s embassy in the world – Megjashi, here edited and writen by Rodna Turnovalieva / Human Rights House Skopje

The document reads that under article 9 of the property leasing contract, the organization have not fulfilled the obligations to pay expenses deriving from the utilization of the property, that is, water and heating. In this regard the building should be emptied and cleared in 15 days.

The problem
The organization First children embassy in the world Megajshi is sharing the property with another organization – Union of single parents. Since 2001 when the organizations received the property from the Ministry of Defence, until today there has been no invoices delivered from the ministry. Last month an invoice for 4 month in 2007 was received, and it was addressed solely to the First Children’s Embassy – Megjashi. When they asked for the sum to split on the two legal subjects under the leasing contract – they received a letter rdering them to evacuate the property.

The contract gives 90 days for removing the organization in terms of not fulfilling the contract articles; however, Megjashi only got 15. Furthermore, the decision for utilization of the property without compensation was delivered from the Macedonian government. In this line should it be the government that decides to severe the leasing contract?

Furthermore this document is addressed solely to the First Children’s embassy in the world Megjashi, which clearly underlines the connection to their previous engagement in the case of political abuse of children. See article “Children abused for political reasons on National Army Day”.

Macedonian civil sector reacts together
The event raised many questions and disapprobation among Macedonian nongovernmental organizations. The first children’s embassy – Megjashi have undertake all actions in their power, such as payment; notification to the public prosecutor for the case of political abuse of children by the relevant minister – Mr. Lazar Elenovski, Ministry of Defense; started filling a complaint to OHCHR Geneva.

The Human Rights House immediately undertook actions for organizing a press conference on which organisations will give support to the member and civil organisation Megjashi. HRH Skopje called all bigger and more influential civil organisations and foundations to stand and support Megjashi in their efforts to maintain their property and continue their work.

The Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia, Macedonian Centre for International Cooperation, Centre for institutional development, MOST, SOZM, Centre for non-violent actions – Belgrade and Sarajevo, were among many organisations that showed interest in joining efforts and react.

“By these actions the Ministry of defence is not hurting only one of the oldest and most active nongovernmental organisations in Macedonia, but hurts our children, which is more important.” – says journalist Evridika Saskova.

“I sincerely hope that the Ministry of Defence will reconsider the arguments and you will succeed in your endeavour to save the organisation, because if you do not succeed, this will be a matrix for future and many steps backwards in the level of development of the democratic and civil sector in Macedonia. Actions of solidarity defend freedom of speech and this will give positive effects in building solidarity. We have to bare in mind that this can happen to any other organisation in Macedonia and in the neighbourhood.” – said Nenad Vukosavljevic, Centre for non-violent actions CAN Belgrade – Sarajevo.