On Monday, 18 December 2017, USAID’s Defending Human Rights Project (DHRP), implemented by the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA), successfully concluded with a celebration of the project’s achievements with participants and stakeholders.

Over the past three years, the DHRP supported the implementation of the international human rights law in Macedonia by establishing a program for continuing legal education of young legal professionals in the areas of human rights; strategic litigation of human rights cases before local institutions and courts, and the European Court of Human Rights; and strengthening the role of civil society organizations in promoting and protecting human rights in Macedonia.   

In his remarks, USAID Country Representative David Atteberry said, “Human rights are standards that ensure all people can live with dignity, freedom, and equality. Every individual has these inalienable rights simply because they are human. These are guaranteed to everyone without distinction on race, religion, gender, language, nationality, political or any other affiliation.” He added, “By guaranteeing life, liberty, equality, and security, human rights protect people against abuse by the more powerful among us.”  

To date, USAID’s Defending Human Rights Project has developed a pool of 42 attorneys specialized in the areas of human rights; equipped 392 young lawyers with expertise in human rights and legal mechanisms for their protection; represented 62 cases of human rights violation before administrative institutions, local courts, and the European Court of Human Rights; provided free legal advice to 355 Macedonian citizens; and trained 15 CSOs to advocate for human rights respect and protection.