The closing conference for presentation of the objectives and results achieved within project "Capacity Building of the Law Enforcement Agencies for Appropriate Treatment of Detained and Sentenced Persons", funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe, was held in Skopje on Thursday.

This project focuses on two major components - the penitentiary system and the police service. With respect to the prison system, the project focuses on strengthening the organisational and management capacity of the penitentiary in the country for ensuring full protection of human rights in the treatment of detained and sentenced persons. With regard to police services, the project focuses on developing capacities for strengthening of professionalism in guaranteeing full observance of fundamental rights of the persons held in police custody.

"The Government is faced with numerous challenges of reforms in several areas, including the penitentiary system, which needs to be harmonized with the international human rights framework in this field", said Justice Minister Adnan Jasari.

According to him, the Government is focused on undertaking large reforms towards development of the penitentiary system, including the construction of new prisons and reconstruction of existing facilities, establishment of a probation service, enhancement of institutional capacities, re-socialization of sentenced persons their reintegration in society.

Public Security Bureau deputy-director Toni Stankovski said the project has assisted the strengthening of police professionalism, as well as the Ministry of Interior's organizational capacities.

"One of the most significant benefits of the project is the change in the rulebook of the Sector for Internal Control and Professional Standards.

Martin Klaucke, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, said one of the Union's priorities in the field of human rights is uprooting of improper treatment not only in member-states but in global terms.

"We are working on the achievement of this goal through diverse ways of monitoring and reporting, support to countries and organizations active in the field", said Klaucke.

The two-year project, set to end on 30 November, is implemented in cooperation with the ministries of justice and interior as the main beneficiaries. The total budget amounts to EUR 2,1 million, of which EUR 1,8 million provided by the EU, EUR 100,000 by the CoE, and EUR 200,000 by the Government.