The Network for Protection against Discrimination strongly condemns the discriminatory actions of Skopje City Mall. This outrage stemmed from a January 9, 2013 email sent by the mall’s management to Land Service, a cleaning company. The email explicitly instructed Land Service to exclude Roma individuals from working in the mall’s food court.
This incident represents a blatant disregard for the basic human rights of Roma citizens and is a clear example of racial and ethnic discrimination. The Network emphasizes that the Commission for Protection against Discrimination should swiftly investigate this case and take appropriate action. This investigation should focus on establishing direct discrimination, which would be a clear violation of the Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. This law aims to protect individuals from being treated unfairly due to their race or ethnicity.
The Commission’s findings should lead to infringement proceedings against both the individual responsible for sending the discriminatory email and the legal entity, Skopje City Mall. This will hold both the individual and the organization accountable for their discriminatory actions.
The Impact of Unchecked Discrimination
It is crucial that institutions respond appropriately to such blatant acts of discrimination. Failure to protect victims of discrimination, especially when such discriminatory practices are made public, can have severe consequences. Victims may feel discouraged from seeking protection, while perpetrators may feel emboldened to continue their discriminatory actions.
The Network for Protection against Discrimination strongly encourages the Public Prosecution to investigate this case. The Public Prosecution should explore the potential criminal liability for racial discrimination under Article 417 of the Criminal Code. This article specifically addresses violations of basic human rights and freedoms based on race, skin color, nationality, or ethnicity. This investigation is crucial to holding those responsible accountable for their actions and preventing future discrimination.
Providing Support and Seeking Justice
The Network for Protection against Discrimination, through the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia, has already reached out to the victims of this discriminatory act. They have offered their legal and organizational support to the victims, ensuring they receive the necessary legal protection.
The Network’s mission is to provide strategic representation in discrimination cases. This includes supporting victims by submitting cases to the Commission for Protection against Discrimination and to both domestic and international courts. The Network also strives to build a stronger legal framework for fighting discrimination by providing free legal assistance in strategic cases.
By actively supporting victims and advocating for change, the Network aims to ensure that discrimination is not tolerated and that all citizens are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
