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Round
table on the Greek minority in Gjirokastra
On
21 May 2003, Albanian Helsinki Committee arranged a round table in
the district of Gjirokastra. The aim of this table was presentation
of AHC conclusions drawn in the arranged monitorings during the
month of May in the districts of Gjirokastra Saranda and Delvina, on
the monitoring of the situation of the Greek minority in these
areas, the observance of the rights recognized to minorities by the
national and international legislation. The table had as an
objective face to face discussions about these conclusions.
Invited to this table there were representatives mainly from the
local power bodies, health, education, order bodies, OMONIA
organization, representatives of the community, etc. with whom AHC
arranged meetings in the context of the monitorings.
At this table vigorous discussions were held on the part of
all participants.
The most significant conclusions reached on the basis of which the
monitoring which was evident at this round table as well was that of
excellent ethnic and religious cohabitation of the Greek minority
with the rest of the population.
The problems of the living conditions, infrastructure development,
supply with electric power, access to minority business in the
economic development of the areas were presented in positive
variables. Other problems related to the improvement of water-supply
networking, telecommunications, road networking in the rural areas,
properties etc. were raised in the context of the general range of
problems in the country, by identifying the need of utilizing funds
of the minority business (operating in these areas), of the
migrant remittances, the funds of the communes.
Despite the mass exodus of the families having Greek nationality, it
was considered as a positive fact, the operation of some schools
with a minimum number of pupils. Whereas the setting up of center
schools has influenced the efficiency and the increase of teaching
quality. As a problem laid down for solution was speeding up the
publication of history textbooks in the 8-year school.
At the table, there was discussed in a confronting way the issue of
the participation of the minority people in the local power bodies,
in the public administration, order and judicial bodies etc.
Although there have been on-going claims on the part of OMONIA
organization, it was estimated with figures and concrete facts the
active participation of the representatives of the minority in the
aforementioned bodies, by always arguing the need of meeting the
criteria set for employment in these structures.
The minority intellectuals, participants at the table, raised the
problem of the ratio between the legislation that recognizes the
minority rights and the difficulties in their practical enforcement.
The concern raised was that there is kind of
’”self-detachment” of the minority people. As an example among
others was provided the difficulties that children of Greek
nationality encounter in learning and practising the Albanian
language. This phenomena has consequences for the future, by
creating difficulties for employment in the Albanian administration,
in acquaintance of the Albanian legislation, in the protection of
their rights etc.
Enhancing access to the local media about the range of problems of
the minority and providing a space even in the public media, were
submitted as tasks that needed acceleration.
The aforementioned problems at this round table, were tackled in the
context of minority integration in the Albanian society.
The table agreed that the raised problems be suggested to the
competent bodies to enable their solution.
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