North Macedonia is a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights and the U.N. Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and Convention against Torture, and the Constitution of North Macedonia guarantees basic human rights to all citizens. There do however continue to be problems with human rights. According to human rights organisations, in 2003 there were suspected extrajudicial executions, threats and intimidation against human rights activists and anti-regime journalists and allegations of torture by the police. HRW and Helsinki Watch According to Human Rights Watch, many former Yugoslav citizens remain "effectively stateless" as a result of a citizenship law drafted after North Macedonia's secession from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Conflict between ethnic Albanian secessionists and the government of North Macedonia has resulted in serious violations of human rights on both sides. According to the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, the following human rights abuses have been reported: Police abuse of suspects, particularly during initial arrest and detention Police harassment of ethnic minorities, particularly Roma Impunity and corruption in the police force Political pressure on the judiciary Societal violence and discrimination against women, children and ethnic minorities, particularly Roma Trafficking in women and girls for sexual exploitation Government interference with union activity International rankings Democracy Index, 2020: 78 out of 167 ("hybrid regime") Worldwide Press Freedom Index, 2020: 92 out of 180. EC's Report According to the European Commission's Report for 2020 has made considerable improvements compared to past reports, but it still struggles to achieve lasting change in key areas: Concerning the political criteria, North Macedonia continued to implement EU-related reforms throughout the reporting period. Efforts continued to strengthen democracy and the rule of law, including by activating existing checks and balances and through discussions and debates in key policy and legislative issues. Opposition parties remained engaged in the Parliament and supported key issues of common national interest, such as EU-related reforms and the NATO integration process, which North Macedonia joined in March 2020. The inter-ethnic situation remained calm overall. Efforts were made to strengthen inter-ethnic relations and to implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the 2001 conflict and provides the framework for preserving the multi-ethnic character of the society. Civil society remains active and plays a key role in policy and decision-making processes. Measures have been taken to implement the 2018-2020 Strategy and Action Plan for the Cooperation between Government and Civil