The Constitutional Court president Darko Kostadinovski in an interview with the national broadcaster MRT 1 discussed several current topics related to the Court’s decisions, saying that regarding the Law on the Use of Languages, which is currently under consideration in the Court, emphasizing that unfounded fears and political tensions are being created over this issue. According to him, the Constitutional Court does not intend to restrict rights, but on the contrary – to protect and promote those rights.
“I would like to send a message, because I see that this issue is being manipulated way too much. No one will tamper with the Albanian language. The Constitutional Court exists to help ensure that constitutionally guaranteed rights, whether they are linguistic rights, whether they are appropriate and fair representation, are protected, not to cancel them. They are a constitutional category, so I do not accept at all those qualifications that someone wants to cancel it, reduce its use or endanger the Albanian language. They are absolutely incorrect,” said Kostadinovski.
He noted that the Court’s decisions will aim to facilitate the practical application of rights.
“Our decisions can only facilitate the application of the Albanian language so that our fellow Albanians can rest assured that no one will tamper with their language,” said the head of the Constitutional Court.
Kostadinovski pointed out that the opinion of the Venice Commission should not be interpreted selectively, because it contains both praise and remarks.
“First, the Venice Commission says that unlike the 2008 law, this 2018 law significantly expands the use of the Albanian language, significantly. The Venice Commission says that this is commendable, even saying that the will of the authorities in Macedonia to promote the language of the communities is welcomed, and that is truly commendable, but the Venice Commission also says that certain provisions in certain areas go too far,” added Kostadinovski.
