On 25 December 2023, Xhabir M. Deralla, the founder of Civil Media (https://civilmedia.mk/) and President of the NGO, CIVIL-Center for Freedom in Skopje, North Macedonia (https://www.civil.org.mk/) allegedly received a death threat in response to his published column titled „Снајперисти со врзани очи“ (Snipers with Blindfolds) https://civilmedia.mk/snajperisti-so-vrzani-ochi. A Facebook user who was allegedly identified commented, stating “Be visible, scumbag, the bullet will reach you wherever you are” (Биди видлив гнидо, куршумот кај и да е ќе те стигне). This alarming incident prompted the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) (https://znm.org.mk/en/) to report the threat to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, with an appeal directed to the Department for Cybercrime and Digital Forensics. According to CIVIL it is not the first threat from this Facebook user – also in November 2021 came a threat to an Executive of the organization from the same Facebook user.
Threats to life, as evidenced in this case, constitute criminal offenses under the legal framework of North Macedonia. Per the country’s Criminal Code, individuals found guilty of such offenses could face imprisonment. It is imperative that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Public Prosecutor’s Office promptly initiate thorough investigations and legal proceedings to hold accountable those who have breached the law. This action is essential not only for addressing the current incidents but also for deterring potential criminal acts in the future.
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) underscores the urgency for authorities to address and deter threats against journalists, safeguarding press freedom and the safety of media professionals in the region. SEEMO calls for swift and decisive action by relevant authorities to protect journalists and uphold the fundamental right to freedom of speech in North Macedonia.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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