The Parliamentary Assembly notes that Macedonia shares its interpretation of commitments entered into as spelt out in paragraph 9, and intends:
10.1 to sign the European Convention on Human Rights at the moment of accession; to ratify the Convention and Protocols Nos. 1, 2, 4, 7 and 11 within a year; to recognise, pending the entry into force of Protocol No. 11, the right of individual application to the European Commission and the compulsory jurisdiction of the European Court (Articles 25 and 46 of the Convention);
10.2 to sign and ratify within a year of accession Protocol No. 6 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on the abolition of the death penalty, in accordance with Article 10 of the Constitution of 17 November 1991;
10.3 to sign and ratify within a year from the time of accession the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
10.4 to sign and ratify within a year from the time of accession the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities as well as the European Charter for Regional or Minority languages and to conduct policy towards minorities on the principles set forth in Assembly
Recommendation 1201 (1993), and incorporate it into the legal and administrative system and practice of the country;
10.5 to recognise the vital importance of freedom of expression to a properly functioning democracy, and to protect independence in broadcasting and in printed media - allowing complete editorial freedom, even-handed tax treatment, free availability of newsprint and equal access to broadcasting and printing facilities and to distribution outlets;
10.6 to abide by the Geneva Convention of 1951 relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 New York Protocol, and to ensure that asylum-seekers and refugees are not deported to countries where they would be at risk of human rights violations or to any third country without ensuring that they would be given effective and durable protection against return to a country where they might be at risk;
10.7 to ensure that the role and functions of the Prosecutor's Office are in accordance with the rule of law and Council of Europe standards;
10.8 to ensure the independence of the judiciary, in particular by protecting judges from unjustified or arbitrary dismissals, and by keeping the operating budgets of the courts under their direct control and by having them approved by parliament;
10.9 to ensure that the issue of telephone tapping is regulated immediately in accordance with Council of Europe standards;
10.10 to sign and ratify, within a year of accession, the European Charter of Local Self-Government, and to study, with a view to ratification, the Council of Europe's Social Charter, and meanwhile to conduct its policy in accordance with their principles;
10.11 to study, with a view to ratification, and meanwhile to apply the basic principles of other Council of Europe conventions, notably those on extradition, on mutual assistance in criminal matters, on the transfer of sentenced persons, and on laundering, search, seizure and confiscation of proceeds from crime;
10.12 to seek settlement of international disputes by peaceful means (an obligation incumbent upon all member states of the Council of Europe);
10.13 to sign and ratify within a year from the time of accession the General Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Council of Europe and its additional protocols;
10.14 to co-operate fully in the monitoring process for implementation of Assembly Order No. 508 (1995) on the honouring of obligations and commitments by member states of the Council of Europe, as well as in monitoring processes established by virtue of the Committee of Ministers' Declaration of 10 November 1994 (95th Session).
