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Rights
of Albanian emigrants in Greece under AHC focus.
Emigrants’
organizations need to strengthen internal
capabilities
During May 27-30, 2007, AHC
representatives conducted a visit to Athens,
Greece. The main goal of the visit was to
establish contact with Albanian emigrants’
organizations in Greece, the identification of
problems that had to do with respect for their
rights, and meetings with independent Greek
organizations and the Greek Helsinki Monitor, as
well as with representatives of constitutional
institutions that work in the area of human
rights.
AHC representatives met with
representatives of Albanian emigrants’
organizations in Athens, the Albanian Embassy in
Athens, the Greek People’s Advocate, and
representatives of the Greek and Albanian media
in Athens.
An important part of the visit
was the meeting with Mr. Panayote Dimitras,
spokesman of the Greek Helsinki Monitor. AHC
representatives discussed with him about
concrete cases handled by this organization and
opportunities for future cooperation, following
cases of maltreatment of Albanian emigrants, etc.
Based on the conducted meetings,
it resulted that:
1. In general, there are
improvements in respect for Albanian emigrants’
rights in Greece. However, contacted emigrants
raised concerns about their legalization and
residence permits. In their opinion, procedures
are very long and very expensive and, in these
circumstances, emigrants did not have
opportunities to travel to and from Albania.
2. A problem discussed by AHC
representatives was respect for the rights of
persons serving prison terms in prisons in
Greece. AHC raised this concern based on
numerous complaints it had received.
3. Based on meetings with
representatives of emigrants’ organizations, we
learned that several Albanian emigrants’
organizations have been founded in Greece. It
was noted that there was lack of coordination
and cooperation between them. As a result, there
was no unified representation of Albanian
emigrants in contacts with Greek institutions.
4. Emigrants’ organizations
worked on a voluntary basis due to the lack of
capacities for applications for projects. AHC
did not have contact with any organization that
had the opportunity for projects, although they
were registered in accordance with existing
legislation.
The visit of AHC representatives
created an opportunity for establishing contact
with Albanian emigrants’ organizations, increase
cooperation with the Greek Helsinki monitor,
establish direct contact with the Greek People’s
Advocate and will address concrete cases to it.
AHC representatives also gave interviews for
Albanian and Greek media outlets in Athens about
human rights problems.
AHC takes the opportunity to
thank all representatives of emigrants’
organizations in Athens, representatives of our
Embassy, the women and intellectuals we met with,
representatives of the People’s Advocate in
Greece and in Albania, as well as media
representatives in Greece for the fruitful
meetings and the understanding demonstrated in
addressing different problems. |
