Macedonian society remains deeply divided along ethnic and linguistic lines and it is high time for political leaders to devise an integration strategy to overcome these divisions. This was one of the conclusions of Human Rights Commissioner Nils Muižnieks after a five-day visit to the country.
He told the Macedonian authorities “to implement policies that will promote integration and understanding between the ethnic communities and promote social cohesion, while protecting the diversity.”
Muižnieks concluded in the report that “the peace agreement that ended the inter-ethnic conflict in 2001 led to changes, for example, in the fields of equitable representation of communities in public institutions, decentralization and the use of languages. However, social cohesion has not been achieved.”
The Commissioner was particularly concerned about increased separation between ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian children, “who have little opportunity to meet, learn and play together because the education system is divided according to language of instruction.”
“Separation breeds mistrust, stereotypes and prejudices. Children are the future and it is crucial, in a multi-ethnic society, to give them the possibility and skills to build mutual understanding, respect and tolerance. Instead of keeping them apart, the education system should provide them with an environment which allows and encourages interaction”, said Muižnieks.
