In 2001, there was an insurgency in Macedonia. I was only 3 years old but can still remember the horrible sight of the city on fire. For the next 11 years, no one dared to speak out against the party in power for fear of severe punishment. As a result, crime and corruption reigned, and politicians in power filled their pockets with the people’s money.
But there was a period when we, the youngest, started to protest for educational reform. High school and college students were eventually joined by half of the population, and we successfully overthrew the government in 2016. It was called the “Colorful Revolution” because people expressed their revolt by throwing paint on government buildings.
After the change of government, we expected all members of the corrupt regime to be brought to justice, but few were jailed. After being sentenced to prison, the former prime minister fled to Budapest, Hungary seeking political asylum. The people are particularly angry with the judges who did not do their job and released the biggest political criminals because of blackmail and threats.
Today, I am a student at the Faculty of Law in Skopje, dreaming that one day I can become one of the judges who will make this country a global model of law and justice. Where everyone abides by the rules and violators will be sanctioned. If such an obvious idea were to be realized, many ethnic groups could live in harmony, even in our small country. That is my ultimate dream.
I hope to help clear the face of justice tainted by corrupt judges, restore trust in the court, and be a threat to criminals. The road to this goal is long and difficult, but I always say it is worth it, not only for me but for my country and its people as well. I also happen to be an Australian citizen, but if I left for that country, who would change things, and for whom? This is my country, and I have no intention of leaving. I will invest all my energy in the study of law, so maybe one day I can wear the judge’s gown. To all the young people in the world and new generations to come, I recommend that you be firm in your intentions and believe in the power of law. Because we, the youth of North Macedonia, rose to revolution and overthrew the regime with just paper and pen.
Finally, I will end with a quote from Cicero. “We are all slaves of the law so we can be free.”