Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Macedonia (HCHR in MK) expressed its gratitude to all individuals, groups and journalists (newspapers, radio and TV stations) for supporting this initiative in order to observe the International Day for Tolerance and for giving their own contribution in building a tolerant society that would be strongly committed to fight against discrimination and to respect human rights and freedoms.

The perception that society in Republic of Macedonia is divided on different grounds was the reason why Helsinki Committee decided to mark the day in this way. They wanted to show that there are people in Macedonia, who are free from prejudices and accept and support the differences, and also to encourage all marginalized groups to voice their opinion.

With the signing of international documents, the state has obligation to respect, protect and realize (coordination, promotion and provision of conditions) human rights. By proclaiming Tolerance as a value that represents respect, acceptance and acknowledgement of differences, HCHR emphasizes the need for adoption of protective measures against all kinds of discrimination. Tolerance is not just moral obligation, but also political and legal requirement in the democratic states, so it is necessary to undertake measures against intolerance and discrimination.

Therefore, HCHR in MK appealed to the Government to adopt the Law on Prevention and Protection from Discrimination in order to establish mechanisms for identification and criminalization of all types of discrimination of state and non-state bodies directed against individuals and groups.

HCHR stressed the importance of breaking down the mental barriers, the need for building a democratic society where human dignity would be in the foreground and let us strongly oppose the use of hate speech, which enhances the divisions in Macedonian society.

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