Country Expert Witness on North Macedonia and Western Balkans Countries for Asylum Cases Providing Expert Witness Reports, Evidence and Country Expert Testimonies for Asylum and Human Rights Cases

Hello, dear colleagues!
This article is primarily written for law firms representing asylum applicants from North Macedonia and other countries in the Western Balkans, although it may also be useful for applicants themselves.
My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am the founder of The Human Rights, an international agency of expert witnesses specializing in expert reports for asylum seekers worldwide (website: thehuman-rights.com).

We provide expert witness reports on human rights violations, political persecution, and asylum-related risks across key regions, including:

• Post-Soviet Region (CIS): Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.
• East Africa: Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda.
• South & Central Asia: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
• Middle East: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia.
• Western Balkans: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Latin America & the Caribbean: Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Haiti, Colombia, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil.
• East Asia: China, North Korea, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar.

In this article, I will explain how our team approaches the analysis of the situation in North Macedonia and other Western Balkans countries, highlight key issues related to human rights violations, and discuss why an expert witness report plays a crucial role in asylum cases.

What is an Expert Witness Report?
As you may know, an expert witness report is an independent analytical document used to substantiate facts, justify risks, and assess the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.
Its purpose is to demonstrate that the applicant faces a real threat of persecution and cannot return to North Macedonia or another Western Balkans country due to the risks involved. The report serves as witness testimony in the asylum case, providing expert insight into the situation in the applicant’s country of origin.

Why is an Expert Witness Report Essential?
An expert witness report is crucial at every stage of the asylum process:

• At the application stage: It helps establish the applicant's personal risks and their connection to the general situation in North Macedonia or another Western Balkans country.
• At the appeal stage: If the application has been denied, the report can be used for a detailed analysis of the immigration authority’s decision, identifying errors, and providing additional evidence.

Key Functions of an Expert Witness Report
1. Contextual Analysis
An expert witness report confirms the broader situation in North Macedonia and other Western Balkans countries, including political instability, repression, and conflict, citing both international and local sources.
2. Personal Risk Assessment
The report demonstrates the connection between the applicant’s individual threats and the conditions in their country. Whether it’s due to their political views, ethnicity, religion, or gender, the report will explain why they are personally at risk in North Macedonia or another Western Balkans country.
3. Strengthening the Evidence Base
An expert witness report verifies that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group facing persecution. Vulnerable groups can include ethnic or religious minorities, journalists, political activists, and women, particularly in countries like North Macedonia, where these groups may face targeted violence.
4. Support with Credible Sources
The report references authoritative organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and others. All sources are formatted according to the OSCOLA citation standard.

Country Expert Witness on North Macedonia and Western Balkans Countries
At The Human Rights, we specialize in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from North Macedonia and other countries in the Western Balkans region. Our reports are tailored to asylum cases in the UK, USA, Canada, and the EU, ensuring compliance with immigration law standards and expert witness requirements.
We provide in-depth analysis on the human rights situation in North Macedonia and other Western Balkans countries, addressing issues such as:

• Ethnic Tensions: North Macedonia has long struggled with ethnic tensions, particularly between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Macedonians. While the country has made progress since the 2001 Ohrid Agreement, tensions between these two groups still persist. Ethnic Albanians, who make up a significant portion of the population, often face discrimination, particularly in rural areas. Those involved in activism or political movements related to the rights of ethnic Albanians may face persecution.
• Corruption: Corruption is widespread in North Macedonia, particularly within government institutions, law enforcement, and the judiciary. Individuals who speak out against corruption or attempt to expose it may be at risk of retaliation, including legal persecution, harassment, and violence.
• Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression: Journalists and media workers in North Macedonia, especially those investigating corruption, political matters, or human rights abuses, face threats and harassment. Despite a legal framework protecting press freedom, journalists frequently face violence and intimidation, limiting their ability to report freely.
• Political Persecution: Political opponents of the government or opposition members in North Macedonia can face political persecution, including imprisonment, threats, and attacks. Those participating in protests or movements critical of the government may be particularly vulnerable.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: The LGBTQ+ community in North Macedonia continues to face widespread societal discrimination, violence, and harassment. While legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals exist, in practice, they face social exclusion and hostility. Members of the LGBTQ+ community who speak out or participate in activism may face violence or threats.
• Gender-Based Violence: Women, especially those from ethnic minorities, face high levels of gender-based violence in North Macedonia, including domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual violence. Social and cultural norms often prevent women from seeking help, and many perpetrators go unpunished.

Why Choose Our Expert Witness Reports?
Collective Expertise & Verification
Our reports are prepared by regional country experts, researchers, and legal analysts, ensuring accuracy and depth. Every report undergoes fact-checking and validation by our senior experts before submission.
Court-Tested Reports & Expert Testimony
Our experts are available to testify in court, reinforcing the credibility of the asylum applicant’s case. We follow the highest standards of expert witness reporting, including OSCOLA citation formatting and references to leading human rights organizations (Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, UNHCR, etc.).
Customized Reports for Each Case
We tailor each report to the specific applicant’s circumstances, linking their personal risks to the broader situation in their country of origin.
Strong Track Record of Success
Our reports have played a key role in successful asylum applications and appeals, helping individuals prove their risk of persecution.