Melihate Tërmkolli remembers March 23, 1989: We decided for life, even though death was hanging over our heads

Today marks 36 years since one of the hardest days for Kosovo and the Albanian people.

On March 23, 1989, in the Assembly of the Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo, an amendment to the 1974 Constitution was approved, suppressing Kosovo's autonomy and placing it under the full control of Serbia.

In a hall surrounded by military forces and tanks of the Yugoslav army, 10 Albanian delegates dared to raise their voices against this historically unjust decision.

They were: Riza Lluka, Melihate Tërmkolli, Ukë Bytyqi, Mehdi Uka, Sadik Zuka, Menduh Shoshi, Bajram Buçani, Shkëlzen Gusia, Remzi Hasani and Agim Kastrati.

Former MP Melihate Tërmkolli, one of those who opposed the suppression of autonomy, remembers this painful day as a great act of courage and dedication to Kosovo.

"In defense of Kosovo, of the Albanians, 10 delegates out of the 190 in the Assembly came out. Ukë Bytyqi, Riza Lluka, Melihate Tërmkolli, Mehdi Uka, Sadik Zuka, Menduh Shoshi, Bajram Buçani, Shkëlzen Gusia, Remzi Hasani, Agim Kastrati."

"It was the decision of the people, of the Albanians. We took the people's decision to the country, to the Parliament, surrounded by the tanks of the Serbian-Yugoslav army," she wrote in a dedication for this historic day.

"We decided for life, even though death was hanging over our heads. It was the decision of the people, of the Albanians. We took the people's decision to the country, to the Parliament, surrounded by the tanks of the Serbian-Yugoslav army. So as not to forget!", Tërmkolli further wrote.

The decision of March 23, 1989 marked the beginning of a dark period for Albanians in Kosovo, who would later face systematic oppression and violations of their rights until the liberation war of 1998-1999.

Today, 36 years later, this day is remembered as a symbol of resistance and sacrifice for the freedom and rights of Kosovo.