Country: Northern Macedonia
Group: Albanians
Date: 4/17/2020
Team: Maya Shrikant (lead), Leilani Alva, Johanna McCombs
Albanians are the largest ethnic minority in Northern Macedonia according to the country’s national census (UNPO, n.d.). Despite this, Albanians have been continually discriminated against since 1992, when the country gained independence and constitutional changes restricted the rights of non-Slavic populations. Albanian populations were removed from the national census, prohibited from having more than two children, unable to use their real names, work in civil servant positions and attend Albanian-language schools (UNHC for Refugees, n.d.). In 1994, Over 40,000 Abanians went to the capital to fight for autonomy for the areas in Macedonia that have a majority of Albanians. Following this, instances of fighting and violence occurred between ethnic Albanians and the Macedonia police (UNHC for Refugees, n.d.). Though a formal conflict resolution was reached with the Ohrid Framework Agreement, ethnic Albanians still continue to be underemployed and experience hidden discrimination, while facing issues in accessing education and political autonomy (Minority Rights Group International, 2008)). Data quality is a 2, since there were few academic sources that were specific to Macedonia, besides the ones referenced in this write-up.
Sources:
- Minority Rights Group International (2008). World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Macedonia : Albanians, 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/49749cecc.html [accessed 12 April 2020]
- U. N. H. C. for Refugees. (n.d.). Refworld | Chronology for Albanians in Macedonia. Refworld. Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://www.refworld.org/docid/469f38b7a.html
- UNPO. (n.d.). Albanians in Macedonia. Retrieved April 11, 2020, from https://unpo.org/members/20868