Çlirim Iseni, a student and one of the organizers of the announced protest for the right to use the Albanian language in North Macedonia, has reacted after footage showing a parade of a special police formation in the urban neighborhoods of Kumanovo, just two days before the protest planned for Monday.
In the footage that went viral, Macedonian special forces are seen conducting training in the street and shouting: “There is only Macedonia here, let everyone learn.”
In a public reaction, Iseni raised doubts about whether this parade with nationalist chants was a coincidence or a threatening message towards the students and the organization of the protest.
“Two days before the Albanian students’ protest for the Albanian language, a platoon of the RMV special police parades with nationalist chants through Kumanovo. The question that arises is whether this is a coincidence or a warning. Our answer is clear: we will continue every peaceful and democratic form for the realization of our legitimate right – the official Albanian language ,” Iseni wrote.
He recalled the history of student movements during the Yugoslav period, emphasizing that every attempt at repression made the cause stronger, and added that cultural diversity has always been an added value for the country.
“Interethnic cohesion has often been jeopardized by the very people who should cultivate it – the state. Let us take care of an honest and democratic state for all, while preserving the country’s Euro-Atlantic orientation. Albanian will be done, because it cannot be done otherwise,” Iseni concluded.
The student protest for the Albanian language is scheduled for Monday and organizers are calling for broad participation and respect for peaceful conduct./TCH