Arabic version: مجموعة مقدونية تفكر في اتخاذ إجراءات قانونية بشأن قيود علم العرض

Members of Melbourne’s Macedonian community are contemplating legal action against the City of Melbourne following a decision to prohibit the display of cultural flags at the upcoming Moomba Parade. According to ABC News, the Federation of Macedonian Cultural Artistic Associations had intended to march with the Sun of Kutlesh, also known as the Vergina Sun, which has been a point of contention between Greece and what is now known as the Republic of North Macedonia.

The council informed the Federation that only official national flags would be permitted during the parade, which is part of the annual Moomba Festival held over the Labour Day weekend. This decision has disappointed many in the Macedonian community, who have historically displayed the flag at the event.

George Lambeski, president of the Federation, emphasized that the flag represents the Macedonian people and their cultural identity, asserting that there was no political motive behind its use at the parade. He expressed hope that the council would reconsider its stance on the flag ban.

The council cited concerns regarding sensitivities surrounding cultural flags as the reason for its decision, stating that a consistent approach would be applied to all participants. The Macedonian Communities Council of Australia is urging the council to overturn its decision, claiming it violates Section 19 of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and undermines the festival’s mission of community harmony. Despite the ban, the Federation plans to proceed with its performance at the parade, involving around 100 participants from various community groups.