The 3rd Gender Equality and the Western Balkans Judicial Forum is taking place today in Skopje, bringing together domestic and international senior judges, prosecutors, government officials, and legal experts to discuss the role of the judiciary in combating gender-based violence and femicide. The Forum, hosted by the AIRE Centre and its partners, marks the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and serves as a crucial platform for advancing judicial accountability and legal protections for women across the Western Balkans.
In her opening remarks, the Macedonian President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, emphasized the responsibility of the judiciary in ensuring that gender-based violence is effectively prosecuted and that victims receive justice.
“A judiciary that is independent, accountable, and courageous is the backbone of democracy. Gender-based violence must not be met with silence or inefficiency. The law must serve as a shield for those at risk and a deterrent for those who perpetrate violence. Justice is only real when it is felt equally by all.”
The Minister of Justice, Igor Filkov, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to legal reforms that enhance judicial capacity in handling gender-based violence cases.
“Ensuring justice for survivors is not just a legal obligation—it is a moral duty. Our laws must be enforced with precision, sensitivity, and effectiveness. Every courtroom must be a place where survivors are heard, protected, and assured that justice will prevail.”
Representing the United Kingdom, Daniel Fieller, Chargé d’Affaires of the British Embassy in Skopje, highlighted the judiciary’s responsibility in turning legal commitments into real justice.
“Justice must be more than a principle—it must be a reality. The UK remains committed to supporting the judiciary in ensuring that laws designed to protect women and girls are fully implemented, enforced, and strengthened where needed. The conversations we have today must shape the judgements of tomorrow.”
The Vice-President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Judge Ivana Jelić, reinforced the importance of regional cooperation and the role of international legal frameworks in strengthening protections for victims.
“The European Convention on Human Rights serves as the foundation upon which equal justice must stand. Gender-based violence cases demand that national courts interpret legal obligations in line with international human rights standards, ensuring that every ruling strengthens—not weakens—the protection of victims.”
Concluding the opening remarks, Biljana Braithwaite, Western Balkans Programme Director at the AIRE Centre, stressed the need for ongoing judicial training and legal accountability in cases of domestic violence, sexual violence, and femicide.
“Judicial decisions are not just legal rulings; they are messages to society. A survivor who seeks justice should not face a system that retraumatises, delays, or disregards their experience. Strengthening judicial responses to gender-based violence is not optional—it is essential.”
Discussions throughout the Forum have underscored the legal obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent, investigate, prosecute, and punish femicide and gender-based violence. Panelists examined the systemic challenges in judicial responses across the Western Balkans, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that legal protections translate into effective action in courtrooms and law enforcement practices.
Experts have shared insights on the Femicide Watch model as a tool for monitoring and preventing gender-related killings, as well as the Guidelines for handling cases of domestic or family violence, which offer practical frameworks for strengthening legal proceedings. The Forum also addressed the role of judicial independence in ensuring fair and impartial justice for survivors, and the growing intersection between gender-based violence and illicit financial activities, which require coordinated responses from legal and regulatory institutions.
The Forum concludes with a renewed commitment from the judiciary, government officials, and international partners to uphold the rule of law in addressing gender-based violence.
