NEWS

President Iliana Iotova Informed Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset About the Case of Iva Mihaylova

President Iliana Iotova brought to the attention of Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset the case of Iva Mihaylova - a young woman, who is a citizen of both the Republic of North Macedonia and Bulgaria, and has been denied medical treatment in Bulgaria because she is facing trial in Kocani.

Iva’s case is a precedent for human rights violations - a personal matter has turned into a political issue, Iotova said. She was adamant that Bulgaria cannot and does not wish to interfere in the administration of justice in the Republic of North Macedonia, but insists that Iva Mihaylova, who already suffers from serious health complications, be granted access to the necessary medical treatment. The president stated that Bulgaria had offered Skopje the option of either having Iva treated in Bulgaria or sending a medical team from Bulgaria for consultation, but the North Macedonian side did not agree.

Iliana Iotova will send detailed information on the case to the Secretary General. Alain Berset, for his part, stated that the Council of Europe does not consider individual cases, but will examine this one with interest because it may be part of the broader picture regarding the protection of human rights. A letter regarding Iva Mihaylova has already been sent to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights.

Among the main topics of discussion in Strasbourg was the process of reforming the Council of Europe so that it can adapt to the new reality and respond to rapid changes. The President was adamant that the political character of the Council of Europe, established during the more peaceful years following World War II, must be strengthened. The Council of Europe must focus on two main topics: achieving peace and the genuine protection of human rights. The Council must become a platform for peace, Iotova stated.

The President added that Europe must be a united continent and that double standards should not be applied, nor should certain member states disregard the Council of Europe’s decisions. The head of state noted that Bulgaria will present its position on the planned reforms to the Council. For his part, Alain Berset said that Bulgaria is a very important member of the Council of Europe.

The focus of the meeting, which was also attended by Minister of Justice Nikolay Naydenov, was the conclusion of the monitoring of the implementation of the decisions in the 2006 “UMO Ilinden v. Bulgaria” case group. Alain Berset noted that Bulgaria is making progress in the concrete implementation of measures to guarantee the right of association. He expressed hope that the monitoring would be lifted in March of next year. Also participating in the meeting was Gianluca Esposito, Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law at the Council of Europe Secretariat, with whom the president had discussed the same issue in Sofia in July.