STATEMENT OF THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN RELATIONS COUNCIL (AARC) ON STUDENT PROTESTS IN NORTH MACEDONIA
The Albanian American Relations Council (AARC) expresses its full and unequivocal support for the law students in North Macedonia who are peacefully protesting for their fundamental right to take the Bar Exam in their native Albanian language.
It is deeply concerning—and frankly unacceptable—that in 2026, students are forced to take to the streets to demand what is not a privilege, but a right clearly guaranteed under the constitutional and legal framework of the state.
The right to use the Albanian language in official proceedings is grounded in the Constitution of North Macedonia, as amended following the Ohrid Framework Agreement, as well as in the Law on the Use of Languages. These legal instruments explicitly affirm the equality of languages spoken by at least 20% of the population, including Albanian, in public institutions and processes. Denying the ability to take the Bar Exam in Albanian is not only inconsistent with these provisions—it is a direct affront to them.
This issue was settled a generation ago through the Ohrid Framework Agreement, a cornerstone of stability that has enabled North Macedonia to evolve into a more inclusive, democratic, and internationally respected state. The country’s progress—its internal cohesion, its Euro-Atlantic trajectory, and its alignment with European standards—has been built on the principle of equality among its citizens. Undermining those principles now is both shortsighted and dangerous.
We must also express our profound disappointment with Albanian political representatives who have remained absent, passive, or ineffective on this matter. Their duty is not symbolic—it is to actively defend the rights of the constituents they represent. On an issue so clear, so fundamental, and so firmly grounded in law, there is no justification for silence or inaction. This failure is not merely political; it is a dereliction of responsibility.
At the same time, we caution all parties against politicizing this issue. Fundamental rights are not bargaining chips, nor should they be subject to partisan maneuvering. This is a matter of law, equality, and basic human dignity—nothing more, and nothing less.
To the students: your cause is just. Your voice is being heard. And you are not alone.
AARC stands with you.