Dealing with climate change and environmental issues must begin with the acceptance of the position that the environmental crisis is equivalent to the economic, political, or health crisis, which is typically the focus of our political and legal apparatus. It has such a broad scope that it exceeds the level of the individual right to a healthy environment and cannot be measured solely through the lens of concretely determined cases of violation. Its visible consequences cannot be justified by achieving some higher economic, social, or other goals, such as, first and foremost, economic benefits from accelerated economic development at the expense of reckless environmental destruction. Numerous laws and regulations in the Republic of North Macedonia cover almost every aspect of the environment. However, some of them are considered outdated and unsuitable for the country’s current situation. Another perceived weakness of the environmental legal framework is the lack of implementation as a result of the institutional division of state authorities responsible for enforcement and insufficient personnel and technical resources in local administration and inspection services. It is encouraging that the entire environmental legislation is being revised and perceived flaws are being addressed. Despite the beginning of the process of enacting new or amending existing laws for specific areas of environmental protection, many open questions remain in key areas as well as strategic goals and policies. 

The Impact of COVID-19 on Prison Conditions and Penal Policy presents the results of a worldwide exchange of information on the impact of COVID-19 in prisons. It also focuses on the human rights questions that have been raised during the pandemic, relating to the treatment of prisoners in institutions for both juveniles and adults worldwide.

This study expresses the criticism of recently enacted Law in determining the type and in measuring the severity of sentence. There is flagrant restriction of the free judicial belief due to the necessity in overcoming identified inconsistency in sentencing policy. The judicial system is not resistant to both internal and external pressures and influences. However, those problems cannot be overcome by massive fragmentation of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Macedonia, wide ranges of the sanctions, and by administrative proceedings in the determination of the sanction. New Macedonian law has created mandatory guidelines for every criminal offence by emphasizing previous conviction as the most important circumstances. This is contrary to several Council of Europe recommendations. The authors emphasise that the binding character of the sentencing guidelines should be avoided. According to them, only free judicial belief within the statutory penal framework can ensure the rule of the law and equity.