DUI: No Albanians among the winners of the “8 September” state awards, their achievements are also being obscured

DUI has reacted after no Albanian was included this year either among the recipients of the “8 September” state awards. The awards include the highest prize for lifetime achievement, as well as four financial awards for sporting achievements. According to the party, the list includes no Albanian athlete, coach or other Albanian name deemed worthy of this state recognition.

In its reaction, DUI emphasizes that this is not merely the result of an awards list, but reflects an approach that sidelines Albanians from areas where the state should recognize their talent, success and contribution. The party recalls that Albanian athletes have represented North Macedonia, won medals, raised the state flag at international competitions and helped develop sport for years, yet when the time comes for recognition, they find no place on the state list.

DUI asks what criteria cause Albanians to remain invisible even in sport and professional achievements. At the same time, the party asks whether this is the “fair and adequate representation” promised by VLEN, or yet another indication that Albanians are being treated as second-class citizens.

The party is demanding full transparency regarding the criteria used, the procedure followed and the composition of the commission that made the decision on these awards. According to DUI, representation with 0 Albanians cannot always be considered a coincidence, because an exclusion that is repeated becomes policy. The party says it will not remain silent in the face of what it describes as a policy of discrimination and the erasure of Albanians’ contributions from state institutions./Telegrafi/