Workers' rights, environment protection, freedom of speech, fight against corruption, paying tax, education of children and reporting domestic violence are the focal topics of a campaign aimed at promoting the concept of the rule of law, which was promoted Wednesday by US Ambassador Paul Wohlers in Skopje.

He said the campaign came as a result of a nationwide survey examining to what extend citizens were familiar with laws and whether they respected and appreciated laws.

"The idea for this campaign developed from the belief that laws do nor belong only to those who apply them, such as judges, lawyers, prosecutors and law-enforcement officials. Access to justice and equal treatment in accordance with the law is a fundamental right of every citizen of this country and this right bears several accountabilities. The public is a vital partner in the rule of law," Ambassador Wohlers stated.

He stressed that promotion of the rule of law was one of the highest priorities of the US government, not only in Macedonia, but also in the region and across the globe, adding that the government of Macedonia was sharing the same priority, which was reflected in the implementation of key judicial reforms.

The promotion of the campaign - which is going to be officially launched on Thursday - was also attended by Justice Minister Blerim Bexheti. He said that the independence of the judicial system laid foundations for legal order and the functioning of a legal state. The Minister further added that the realization and protection of human rights was linked to the judiciary and its efficiency as an independent authority.

"The Ministry of Justice has recently made serious steps to reform the judiciary by amending organizational, material and procedural laws. The period in which this campaign is being organized corresponds with the implementation of new laws in judiciary. They primarily aim at securing adequate access to justice," Bexheti said vowing the government would resume its activities to strengthen the independence of courts.

The campaign titled "Rule of Law" will be conducted in Macedonian and in Albanian and includes media advertisements as well as TV spots. It will run till November.