Skopje, 15 August 2023 (MIA) — Transparency International Macedonia will release in October its new report on the national Ombudsman's office and whether the corruption watchdog's recommendations given in 2016 regarding the work of the public advocate have been followed.

According to Transparency International Macedonia in a press release, the 2016 report titled “The National Integrity System of Macedonia” focused on the country's institutions' integrity in relation to corruption and the effectiveness of national efforts to deal with corruption.

"Within this report, an analysis was conducted and an assessment of 15 pillars that are part of the country’s state system was prepared," the release says, adding that the report also included a review of the public advocate's work.

The watchdog's recommendations in 2016 were that the Law on the Ombudsman be changed to ensure full compliance with the Paris Principles relating to human rights bodies.

Also, the report remmended that the public advocate's office budget be increased. "The budget," the release says, "does not reflect the real needs of the Ombudsman’s office. Additional funds are required to build and increase the capacity of employees. As of 2022, out of a total of 183 planned jobs, only 83 have been filled."

The 2016 report had also recommended the government and Parliament introduce a legal provision making mandatory to follow-up on any recommendations given by the public advocate.

"This provision should set clear deadlines and introduce appropriate sanctions for cases in which recommendations are not followed up," the release adds, stressing that institutions needed to cooperate better on implementing the public advocate’s recommendations. mr/