Rexhepi on the jurisprudence exam: The state should serve citizens, not be the property of Mickoski’s government

Students who have been demanding for several months that the jurisprudence exam be held in Albanian do not accept the partial solution in Macedonian and Albanian.

Besjan Rexhepi, one of the organizers of the student protests, once again reacted to the delay in the procedures. According to him, citizens in North Macedonia are being forced to protest for rights guaranteed by the Constitution, while the delays are not accompanied by concrete reasons.

“It is unacceptable that in this state, citizens have to take to the streets to demand a constitutional right, wait and show patience, only to ultimately face yet another promise. This is not how institutions should function, but rather a sign of political failure. The students’ protests clearly signaled that the system pays attention to citizens only after they take to the streets. The issue of the jurisprudence exam demonstrates this: following the demands, petitions and protests, an incomplete solution is once again being proposed, with the theory in Albanian and the practical component in Macedonian. Now, even though the Government has given the green light, the issue is being referred to the Venice Commission. How long will students have to wait for a right that is a legal guarantee, not a privilege?” Rexhepi wrote.

He stressed that the state is not the property of Hristijan Mickoski and that citizens’ demands must be treated seriously, while institutions must be held accountable.

“Mickoski must understand that the state does not belong to his Government and that the Constitution cannot be interpreted according to the political interests of the day. Citizens cannot be asked for their votes in elections and then have their demands portrayed as an obstacle to governance. The claim of having a strong state loses its meaning when institutions show weakness in the face of justice, equality and accountability. The same approach can be seen in Kočani, in Oncology, in social injustices and in interethnic issues: citizens demand justice, institutions issue statements and responsibility is continually postponed. It must be clear that the problem is not Macedonians, Albanians or other communities. The problem is the authorities using polarization as a strategy and evading responsibility. Mickoski cannot govern by demanding citizens’ silence and labeling every demand for equality as political pressure. I am not against the state, but against those who claim to defend it while destroying trust in it. The state should serve citizens; citizens, especially young people and students, must not remain hostage to the system,” his reaction said.