Seven LGBTI activists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia were mobbed, threatened and attacked by a group of men in the town of Saraj in the north-west of North Macedonia. The activists survived the attack with minor injuries thanks to the intervention of police who happened to be nearby. The perpetrators were arrested by the police and a criminal investigation was initiated.

The attack was condemned by a number of national and international organisations, including the EU Delegation to North Macedonia. The EU Delegation issued the following statement: “The Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of North Macedonia condemns the personal attack and death threats on LGBTI activist Bekim Asani and urges the criminal justice system to investigate the case, in order to bring the perpetrators to justice. Respect for human rights and the rule of law are cornerstones of the European Union, where every individual holds these rights, regardless of their sexual orientation.

The Law on Prevention and Protection against discrimination that was repealed on formal grounds was the first law in the country, to include gender identity and sexual orientation as grounds for discrimination. We urge all political parties to support the adoption of the anti-discrimination law by the new Parliament as a matter of priority, thus building on international standards and staying committed to advancing the human rights of LGBTI persons in the country.”