Skopje, 28 November 2024 (MIA) - The Commission for the Prevention and Protection from Discrimination said Thursday that recently various groups of citizens have been submitting complaints about discrimination due to the lack of public transport availability in Skopje.

The Commission's press release notes that many groups of citizens depend on public transport to exercise their basic human rights such as the right to education, movement, health, work, access to goods and services, etc.

"The lack of access to public transport disproportionately affects certain groups of citizens, such as women, young people and students, pensioners and other adults, Roma people, those that live in the outskirts of the city center. Of particular concern is the situation in the Municipality of Shuto Orizari, which depends on irregular private operators, thus adding to the discrimination on the basis of ethnicity and race," the press release reads.

The Commission also voices concern that due to the lack of public transport, students are unable to attend classes and exercise their right to education guaranteed by Article 44 of the Constitution, which states that education is available to everyone under equal conditions.

“Public transport,” the Commission stresses, “has a very important role in society and brings numerous economic, social, health, and environmental benefits. It promotes and strengthens inclusiveness because it allows all people to be part of life in the city and exercise their rights. Public transport promotes citizens' independence and mobility, strengthens social interactions, and sense of community. A key characteristic of a society with a higher level of equality is a well-organized, affordable, and accessible public transport that is used by a large proportion of the population. Lack of access to public transportation deepens inequalities at the expense of already less privileged groups in society.”

“Unavailability of public transport increases the use of personal vehicles, thus increasing traffic, which directly affects air pollution and denies the right to a healthy environment. According to Article 43 of the Constitution, everyone is obliged to promote and protect the environment, and the Republic is obliged to provide conditions for the realization of the right of citizens to a healthy environment,” the press release adds.

For these reasons, the Commission asks central and local authorities to put aside partisan interests and quickly come up with long-term solutions to improve availability and accessibility to public transport.ssh/ad/ 

Photo: MIA Archive