Monday, September 29, 2008

AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MEDIA



AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MEDIA RELEASE
AMHRC AND VINOZHITO CONTINUE SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP
AMHRC'S "MACEDONIAN MINORITIES SUPPORT FUND" MAJOR FACTOR
IN VINOZHITO'S ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS
In their Annual Activities Report to members of the Macedonian Minorities' Support Fund, the European Free Alliance - Rainbow (Vinozito) made the following comments:
"The last 12 months have been a very busy and productive period for Vinozito. We have been very active on the international level and for the first time in many years (due in large to the intensity of the "name dispute" betweenGreece and the Republic of Macedonia) we have had much exposure in the Greek media.
It goes without saying that our achievements would not be possible without the regular and generous financial assistance we receive from the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC). The monthly financial donations from the AMHRC allow us operate a full-time office in Lerin from where we coordinate our domestic and international affairs.
We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the AMHRC. Such collaboration will be invaluable in the coming period as we are planning some very important activities. Later this year the Supreme Court of Greece will rule in the case of the "Home of Macedonian Culture" and if previous decisions are anything to go by, we will have to yet again seek justice in the European Court of Human Rights.
The entire Political Secretariat of Vinozito would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to the Macedonian Minorities' Support Fund in the last twelve months. We encourage you to all renew your membership in the fund and support the AMHRC so that they can continue to support us.Last, but certainly not least, we would like to especially thank the Board of Management of the AMHRC for their continued effort in managing the fund and the activities of the organisation. We appreciate the personal sacrifice that goes into human rights activism and every success that we have is due in part to the efforts of these invaluable volunteers."Indeed, the cooperation between the AMHRC and Vinozito dates back to the party's inception in 1994. AMHRC support for Vinozhito's activities has intensified since 2004, when the Macedonian Minorities' Support Fund was established by the AMHRC. The fund provides regular monthly donations to Vinozhito to support their activities. Here is a summary of Vinozhito's achievements over the last 12 months: International lobbying activitiesEFA-Rainbow (Vinozito) was very active on the international front, especially within EU institutions and the Council of Europe. In June 2007, representa\tives of the party met with Mr. Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Issues discussed at this meeting included Greece's refusal to ratify the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the continual non-registration of the "Home of Macedonian Culture"The visit to the Council of Europe also gave Vinozhito the opportunity to meet with members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Subsequently, Mr Geertz Lambert of Belgium submitted Written Question No. 530 to the Committee of Ministers on "Discrimination in Greek law which affects ethnic Macedonians" referring to the laws which prevent Macedonian political refugees from returning to Greece. EFA-Rainbow has also been very active in EU institutions. In January 2008 Rainbow participated in a Session of the Intergroup for Traditional National Minorities, Constitutional Regions and Regional Languages, an inter-group within the European Parliament (EP) in Brussels .In cooperation with MEPs from the EFA/Greens group in the Rainbow has also initiated several actions with the EP. In April 2008 Mikel Amezaga MEP filed several questions to the EP and the Council regarding the denial of entry of ethnic Macedonians into Greece. Mr Amezaga questioned the legality of Greece's policy in respect of the Schengen provisions and the EU principle of freedom of movement.Rainbow has also engaged the European Free Alliance - European Political Party (EFA-EPP) on many issues concerning Greece's undemocratic policy in relation to the Republic of Macedonia and the Macedonian minority of Greece. In May 2008, EFA-EPP sent letters of protest to the European Commission, European Parliament and all Greek MEPs protesting the campaign of Greek MEPs within EU institutions to replace and in some instances eradicate the use of the term "Macedonian" to describe the Macedonian language, Macedonian culture and persons identifying as ethnic Macedonians. EFA's letter notes that "It is well known that the motivation of Greece and its MEPs on this issue is its blatant refusal to recognise Macedonian identity, both in Greece and beyond. Indeed, Greece's aggressive behaviour on this issue is something not new to EFA. Our party was a witness to Greece's deplorable policy of rejecting the existence of ethnic Macedonian identity in Greece during a fact-finding visit to the country in 2006."In April 2008, EFA-Rainbow together with the European Free Alliance and the Association of Western Thrace Turks in Europe hosted an International Panel Discussion in the European Parliament on the "Ignored Minorities of Greece: Western Thrace Turks and Macedonians". The event was well attended and attracted a lot of attention both in Greece . The reaction of the Greek political parties was typical of Greece 's policy on the issue of minorities. Nea Demokratia and the Greek Communist Party issued statements on the conference to which Rainbow responded. In a press release entitled "The national - socialist audacity of the Greek "Communist" Party", Rainbow noted that "during the last several days, on the occasion of this Panel Discussion, the European delegates representing the Communist Party of Greece, the Secretary of the Party, as well as the newspaper Rizospastis, engaged in a series of attacks against the opinion of the EU regarding the rights of national and cultural minorities in Europe. Mainly, their attacks have been focused against the policy of support for "the different minority groups or other groups of the population with differences" in our region. We would like to inform the national-socialists of the Communist Party of Greece, that their past is so burdened and their present so undemocratic, that we can consider their accusations against us as a proof for the regularity of our policies. We would like to confirm that Rainbow, as part of the Macedonian national minority living in Greece, will continue to exist and struggle for one great multicultural and politically united Europe, despite the opposed desires of the bureaucracy in Perisos."EFA-Rainbow also lobbied countries outside of Europe . In July 2007, Rainbow was pleased to host the Consul General of the United States of America during his visit to Lerin. The representatives of Rainbow informed the Consul General of the problems of the Macedonian minority and also of the destructive anti-Americanism that exists in Greece.Cooperation with OMO "Ilinden" PIRINThe Macedonian minority of Bulgaria faces similar problems like the Macedonian minority of Greece. EFA-Rainbow continued to cooperate closely with OMO "Ilinden" PIRIN, a political party defending the rights of the Macedonian minority in Bulgaria. Rainbow continues to lobby at the international level for the re-registration of OMO "Ilinden" PIRIN. Moreover, EFA-Rainbow and OMO "Ilinden" PIRIN have jointly attended events at the international level. In June 2007 both organisations attended the PACE session in Strasbourg, while in December 2007 representatives from EFA - Rainbow, the Home of Macedonian Culture and OMO Ilinden Pirin participated in a Conference organised by the EU's new Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA). In April 2008 both parties participated in the 2008 General Assembly of the European Free Alliance - European Political Party held in Mallorca.Press ReleasesEFA-Rainbow issued many press releases over the last 12 months. Most of them were not published in the Greek media due to the unofficial gag on issues related to the Macedonian minority. Here is a selection of the most important press releases:6 July 2007: Greek irredentism and expansionism exposed officially from the Greek Parliament. In recent years more and more often we hear the statements of various Greek authorities, parliamentarians, government representatives, ministries, Prime Ministers, journalists and others, about the so-called ‘expansionist propaganda of "Skopje" against our country. Typically, all the above mentioned who utilise such argumentation on the "expansionism of Skopje" have not attempted to enquire or consider the behaviour of our state on the issue of "expansionism". The Greek Parliament in 2000 printed a map under the heading "Historical Map of Greece" where part of Turkish territory is presented as being part of the "unitary Greek world". Specifically, the territory of Asia Minor around Izmir, eastern Thrace, the islands of Imvros and Tenedos are presented as Greek territories. The ‘wonder' of the above mentioned map is that it ‘decorates' a large number of administrative buildings in Greece such as municipal offices, police stations and even Greek embassies abroad, which indirectly serves as propaganda in the service of the policy of "Megali Idea" (the doctrine of a greater Greece from the last century which advocates the idea of a Greece spread over two continents and surrounded by three seas). Similarly, it propagates the Greek character of Cyprus as well as the Greek character of southern Albania20 August 2007: EFA-Rainbow condemns the statements of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the ruling party "Nea Dimokratia" who claims that Greeks should remember the unredeemed Greek territories in Turkey18 December 2007: EFA-Rainbow condemns the hypocritical statements made by the Greek Minister of the Interior, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, in Strasburg in the occasion of the Human Rights Day (10 December).19 December 2007: EFA-Rainbow makes official complaint to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs after receiving an abusive e-mail by the Greek Embassy in Dublin18 February 2008: EFA - Rainbow's answer to Mrs Dora Bakoyanni - Greek Foreign Minister "... in Greece the only international recognized minority is the Muslim minority"20 May 2008: Greece is constantly and hypocritically accusing the Republic of Macedonia for "irredentist practices". The bitter truth is, that at the same time, official state bodies like the Greek Army express a scandalous irredentism against the Republic of Macedonia, openly & provocatively declaring in their public announcements that "Macedonia is One and Greek"23 May 2008: Greek Minister of Justice, Hatzigakis, refers EFA-Rainbow and the Greek Helsinki Monitor to the attorney's office of the Supreme Court of Greece accusing them of "anti-Hellenic propaganda" following a question from an extreme right MP from LAOS . Is a new prosecution of EFA - Rainbow underway?So-called "name issue"During the last 12 months the so-called "name issue" between Greece and the Republic of Macedonia has received much attention. While officially the matter is between the respective states, the essence of the matter, in Rainbow's opinion, concerns Macedonian ethnic identity i.e. Greece's refusal to recognise it. Therefore as members of the Macedonian minority of Greece, EFA-Rainbow felt obliged to become actively involved in the issue.On 5 November 2007 Rainbow sent a letter to Matthew Nimetz, the UN Special Representative. In that letter Rainbow writes that "the essence of the internal problem of this question for Greece is the denial of the recognition and the respect of a separate and distinct Macedonian ethnic/national identity different from the Greek one, because to do so would result in the collapse of the Greek myth of national homogeneity that the state has imposed for decades now." The letter ends by stating that Rainbow believes that "the international community should finally send a clear political message in relation the existing negative position of our state, Greece, regarding the Republic of Macedonia. We believe that such this will assist in the task of beginning a progressive ideological reform of the Greek state and indeed of Greek society, which are essential in order to make Greek policy in the region positive and constructive. This is particular importance for the peace and stability of our region, especially given that the "Yugoslav crisis" is coming to an end with the imminent decision on the future status of Kosovo."Following Greece's veto of the Republic of Macedonia to receive an invitation to join NATO, Rainbow released the following statement entitled "Greek nationalism strengthens the Macedonian national identity and reinforces the Macedonian nation". The detailed analysis of the Greek veto and general policy on the Macedonian question observed that "Greece, by preventing the neighbouring country to enter NATO, managed to seal its objective to create an enemy on our northern borders. The day that comes will not be the same as before. By using the right to veto, Greece pushed these friendly people to change their behaviour towards our country. In addition, the veto emphasizes the Macedonian identity inside the neighbouring country. It reinforces the Macedonian nation and national identity. Those were not the only repercussions of the April 4, 2008 veto. It destroyed all the false hopes that the politicians and the society of the neighbouring country had in the Greek intentions and policy towards them. This denial unites all the Macedonians in the Republic of Macedonia against the one who has proven to be the "enemy of the people." The previous convictions of Greece along with this last unfriendly act of denying membership into NATO, unfortunately transformed the Macedonian identity from being equal to that of the Hellenic one, into an identity opposed to Hellenism. The latest events are particularly disturbing for our country. They displayed (once again) unproductive anti-Americanism and cohesion of the red battlefront at the level of political practice. Our country, captured in the "nationalist glass bell", with the majority of its population being intellectually handicapped, begins to show characteristics of an Eastern country, with Parliamentary clothing and national-socialist features."HOW YOU CAN HELP VINOZITOThe continuing success of EFA-Rainbow (Vinozhito) is largely dependent on the level of resourcing available. As mentioned above, five years ago the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee established the Macedonian Minorities' Support Fund. In practice this has meant, that for four years straight, Vinozhito has received monthly financial assistance without exception. This is a tradition worth maintaining!Also, whilst the AMHRC provides financial contributions to OMO-Ilinden-Pirin, we are trying to increase the number of members to the Fund so that we can establish a consistent and regular monthly support package to OMO-Ilinden- Pirin, similar to the one in place with Vinozhito. In this way, the Macedonian Human Rights movement will be able to better plan and co-ordinate their activities in a more integrated manner Membership of this fund costs only $120 per year for employed persons and $60 for pensioners, students and unemployed persons. Payments are then transferred on a monthly basis to Vinozito.Donations can be made to the following WESTPAC bank account:Account Name: Macedonian Human Rights Committee of Melbourne and Victoria
BSB: 033365
Account No: 189484. For further information, please contact the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee on (03) 9460 2910 or email: macedonian_rights@hotmail.comAUSTRALIAN-MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE


Membership of the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee is open to all individuals who pledge to the organisation's principles, objectives and constitution.
As a member of the Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee you automatically become a member of the "Macedonian Minorities' Support Fund" This fund provides regular financial assistance to the European Free Alliance – Rainbow (Vinozito), the political party of the Macedonian minority of Greece and to OMO-Ilinden- Pirin, a political party in Bulgaria defending the rights of the Macedonian minority.
Annual membership fees are as follows:
Adults $120
Students & Pensioners $60
Please send your name, address, telephone number and email address together with a cheque or money order for the appropriate amount to:
Australian Macedonian Human Rights CommitteePO Box 364Doncaster VIC 3108
Alternatively you can pay your membership fees by directly depositing the appropriate amount into the following Westpac bank account.
Account Name: Macedonian Human Rights Committee of Melbourne and VictoriaBSB: 033365Account No: 189484
Important: If you directly deposit your membership fees into the above mentioned bank account please inform us or else we will not be able to identify you.
Telephone: (03) 9460 2910macedonian_rights@hotmail.com

No comments: