The Special Anti-Terrorist Unit "Tigers" officially marks today the 45th anniversary of its establishment as the highest police formation in North Macedonia, but this jubilee finds this unit once again at the center of criticism due to its hermetic closure towards Albanians, reports INA.
Even after almost half a century of existence and despite radical political and constitutional changes in the country, the "Tigers" continue to remain an ethnically pure Macedonian structure, openly challenging the principle of fair and adequate representation.
Formed on March 13, 1981 within the former Secretariat of Internal Affairs, this elite unit is built on the image of an invincible force for special operations, the fight against terrorism and the resolution of hostage crises, being trained according to the strictest international standards. However, what is striking in every parade and official activity is the total absence of Albanian members, a fact that makes the “Tigers” the only security institution that has not reflected the multiethnic reality of the state. While in other special police and army units Albanians have proven professionalism and high readiness, the doors of the “Tigers” remain armored for them, keeping this formation as an exclusively ethnic bastion that operates outside the framework of integration required by the political agreements in the country. Thus, on this 45th anniversary, in addition to demonstrating strength and technique, the "Tigers" once again confirm their status as a unit that has not yet paved the way for diversity, remaining the last symbol of a uniethnic police structure in North Macedonia. (INA)
t7 live
