The Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia has provided an official response to Dukagjini regarding the announced protest of categories emerging from the KLA war, which is expected to be held on December 13 in Skopje.
In the response sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the institution clarifies that the formation of the Operational Headquarters is not an extraordinary measure, but a standard procedure that applies to any large-scale public gathering.
According to them, all necessary measures will be implemented according to laws and bylaws to guarantee a safe and incident-free protest.
"Regarding your request, we inform you that for the protest announced on 13.12. an Operational Headquarters will be formed, which represents a standard procedure for any announced citizen gathering on a larger scale. The Operational Headquarters is attended by representatives from all organizational units at the Bureau of Public Safety who act operationally for the event."
"All security measures will be implemented in accordance with the laws and bylaws in force, in order to ensure the safe and unhindered conduct of the public gathering," the Ministry of Interior's response to Dukagjin states.
This response comes as the organizers of the protest – organizations that emerged from the Kosovo Liberation Army war – have reacted to Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Mickoski's statements about the formation of a "crisis headquarters", describing them as unnecessary and inciting tensions.
The organizers have emphasized that the December 13 protest will be peaceful, inclusive and without political background, while they have called on North Macedonian institutions not to politicize citizens' constitutional right to assembly.
Meanwhile, the head of OVL-UCK, Hysni Gucati, announced that the protesters possess the necessary permits from the Macedonian authorities and expressed his belief that the rally will take place without incident, underlining that the sole purpose is to call for justice for the former leaders of the KLA in The Hague.
The protest is expected to begin at 13:00 PM at Skanderbeg Square in Skopje.
