ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE CONDEMNS APPEALS AGAINST FRIENDLY COEXISTENCE WITH MINORITIES

GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR

(Greek National Committee of the International Helsinki Federation)

& MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE

(Greek Affiliate of Minority Rights Group International)

P.O. Box 51393, GR-14510 Kifisia, Greece; tel. 30-1-620.01.20; fax: 30-1-807.57.67;

e-mail: office@greekhelsinki.gr      http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

26/2/1998

 

TOPIC: ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE CONDEMNS APPEALS AGAINST FRIENDLY COEXISTENCE WITH MINORITIES

 

We distribute the following statement by the Albanian Helsinki Committee

 

The AHC has taken knowledge of some illegal doings likely to instigate national hatred. In the southern town of Saranda, at the end of past December, unknown persons have distributed leaflets containing appeals to take rid of those called "Greeks and their tools". In a typical hate speech towards all those who are of a different ethnic origin, direct menaces are formulated saying that "our revenge will not be late, it will be a mortal blow". It is not at all by case that Saranda has been chosen for the distribution of this kind of publication. It follows quite clearly that these irresponsible appeals are directed against the minority population there.

 

The AHC strongly condemns any manifestation of ethnic hatred. We consider this as a ugly going contrary both to internal legislation and to the commitment of the Albanian State to abide to the international instruments in regard to the treatment of minorities.

 

It is our firm belief that these are isolated attempts by some extremis groups, which by no means will be able to violate the overall picture of the situation of minorities in this country. Albania has got a very positive record as far as the regime of minorities is concerned and this make all the more necessary to condemn any attempt aiming at undermining our friendly coexistence with minorities January 8, 1998

 

The Albanian Helsinki Committee