Helsinki committee roasts the omburdsman and police unit “ALFA”

in FYROM Human Rights / by Admin / on October 5, 2007 at 6:32 am /

HELSINKI COMMITTEE ROASTS THE OMBUDSMAN AND POLICE UNIT “ALFA”

The Macedonian Helsinki Committee (HC) has severely criticized the work of the Ombudsman and of the police unit “Alfa” in its report on human rights dating from December 2005 and January 2006. HC claims that there have been overwhelming evidence showing that police unit “Alfa” has been directly involved in violation of human rights and liberties, especially the rights and liberties of a certain category of people, such as the drug addicts. HC officials informed that the Committee has been continually receiving complaints on the work of the police unit “Alfa”, adding that the Interior Ministry has been reluctant to issue information on the unit’s way of conduct. Channel 5 TV says Interior Ministry officials disapproved of HC’s critics, saying “Alfa” unit has been working highly transparently.

Referring to the Ombudsman, HC said he only serves as a state organ that only performers “cosmetic” interventions and does not respond to citizens’ complaints. “The function Ombudsman has been performed by a man with clear political affiliations, who only wishes to protect the state and its interests.
Being under direct parties’ influence he does not conduct any control over the state organs nor contributes toward protection of citizens’ human rights”, HC’s President, Mirjana Najcevska, said.

Channel 5 TV says Ombudsman Ixhet Memeti declined to comment on HC’s accusations, saying they lacked arguments and facts. I have no time to deal with such na‹ve and see-through political issues, as I have more important things to do, such as to help the citizens”, Memeti told Channel 5 TV.