Written question with priority to the EU Commission

in accordance with article 42.5 of the Rules of Procedure

by Olivier DUPUIS

Subject: Human rights situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Since 22 August 1996, prof. dr. Fadil Sulejmani, the Rector of the University of Tetova, has been imprisoned by the Macedonian authorities. He is condemned for the 'separatist' act of heading the first and only Albanian language university.

This university was set up in February 1995 by the community of ethnic Albanians (who constitute at least 25% of the population in Macedonia). It was the practical outcome of protest to the non-existence of classes in Albanian and the restricted access of ethnic Albanians to education in general.

In November 1996, when the Delegation for Relations with South East Europe of the European Parliament visited FYROM, it raised the question of Prof. Sulejmani. In response, the FYROM Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ljubomir Frckovski, made the commitment to the Delegation during the conclusion of the visit, that Prof. Sulejmani would be released before the end of the year 1996, or at the very beginning of 1997. At this time, however, he is still in prison.

Could the Commission indicate what concrete actions it is planning to take with regard to the release of Prof. Sulejmani and, more generally, with regard to the growing problem of the Albanian community in Macedonia who after having supported the establishment of the new state of Macedonia from the very beginning with great loyalty are becoming more and more concerned about the refusal of the Macedonian majority to recognise their own specificity and fundamental rights?