CIVICUS discusses recent protests in North Macedonia with Borjan Eftimov, a student activist from the local group YOUth Choose.
North Macedonia has erupted in protest following a nightclub fire on 16 March that killed 59 people and injured dozens more. Public outrage has been fuelled by widespread perceptions of governmental failures, including endemic corruption and systemic negligence in enforcing safety regulations that could have prevented the tragedy. Protesters refuse to accept explanations that dismiss the tragedy as an unfortunate accident. They are voicing dissatisfaction with a system plagued by corruption and neglect, and demanding accountability, transparency and meaningful reform.
