Publicist Kim Mehmeti has raised alarm over a potential decision that could restrict the use of the Albanian language in North Macedonia.
According to Mehmeti, based on information he claims to possess, the Constitutional Court of North Macedonia may, within one or two weeks, decide to ban the use of Albanian in courts and certain other institutions.
“Within a week, the Constitutional Court will prohibit the use of the Albanian language in courts and some institutions. The justification will be that Albanians have been ‘defactorized’. According to my information, the decision will come soon and will reference the Venice Commission. The Albanian language will be reduced to a translated language,” Mehmeti stated during his appearance on the show “Këndin e Kimit” on Tëvë1.
He argued that such a development is partly the result of actions by Albanian politicians in the country, adding that “the other side has read that Albanians are patriotic only until they become ministers.”
Mehmeti also expressed support for a planned student protest, while making controversial remarks about targeting party headquarters, including those of Democratic Union for Integration and VLEN.
Furthermore, he claimed that there are internal political influences from Vetëvendosje in Kosovo aiming to minimize the protest, while other circles from Tirana are attempting to amplify it.
The statements come amid heightened political sensitivities regarding language rights and interethnic relations in North Macedonia.
