The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama has called for public participation in an upcoming student protest in Skopje focusing on the protection and implementation of Albanian language rights in North Macedonia.
Rama emphasized that the Albanian language is not a privilege but a constitutional and fundamental right for every Albanian citizen in North Macedonia. His statement comes ahead of a student-led demonstration scheduled for 18 May near the Stone Bridge, a symbolic location in central Skopje.
In his public message, Rama stressed that silence in the face of discrimination equals complicity, urging Albanians of all political, ideological, and regional backgrounds to unite in support of the students. He called on authorities to fully enforce existing laws and ensure equal respect for the Albanian language as guaranteed by constitutional provisions.
The planned protest is expected to gather students advocating for linguistic equality and broader recognition of cultural identity rights. The Stone Bridge area, a historic landmark in Skopje, has often been a focal point for civic and political demonstrations in the region.
Rama’s appeal highlights ongoing sensitivities around language rights and ethnic equality in North Macedonia, a topic that remains central to regional political discourse and interethnic relations in the Western Balkans.