Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC)

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  • AMHRC
    De-registered
    • Sep 2009
    • 919

    Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC)

    AUSTRALIAN MACEDONIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

    17 September 2009
    A Brief Review of ECRI’s fourth Report on Greece

    On 15 September 2009, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released its fourth monitoring report on Greece. The report is dated as covering the situation in Greece up to 2 April 2009. The findings of the report cannot be ignored or dismissed as insignificant for ECRI was established by the Council of Europe and is an “independent human rights monitoring body specialised in questions relating to racism and intolerance.” Moreover it is “composed of independent and impartial members, who are appointed on the basis of their moral authority and recognised expertise in dealing with racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance.”The Council of Europe is increasingly becoming an authoritative and persuasive institution within Europe, especially given its ability to stigmatise member states. As in ECRI’s previous report on Greece, the current one strongly recommends that the Greek authorities ratify as soon as possible the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, as well as the revised European Social Charter, the European Convention on the Legal Status of Migrant Workers and the European Convention on Nationality. It also recommends that Greece sign and ratify the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.

    In its latest report, ECRI has noted that Greece continues to discriminate against its ethnic minorities and to severely limit the rights to freedom of association and expression of its Macedonian and Turkish minorities.In particular, the ECRI report makes the following findings and recommendations in relation to Greece’s mistreatment of its Macedonian and Turkish minorities:

    please follow link to the rest of the review:http://macedonianhr.org.au/04news/88...tresponse.html
  • Risto the Great
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2008
    • 15658

    #2
    Welcome to this forum and thank you for this information AMHRC.
    Your work is appreciated and we urge you to continue informing us of your latest endeavours.

    pozdrav
    Risto the Great
    MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
    "Holding my breath for the revolution."

    Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

    Comment

    • AMHRC
      De-registered
      • Sep 2009
      • 919

      #3
      UN CERD Recommends Greece Recognise Macedonians

      AustralianMacedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC)
      Macedonian Human Right Movement International (MHRMI)



      PRESS RELEASE 23/9/09



      YET ANOTHER UN BODY RECOMMENDS THAT GREECE

      REGOGNISE THE RIGHTS OF ITS MACEDONIAN MINORITY


      On 28 August 2009, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released its “Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” in relation to the 16th – 19th periodical reports of Greece. The Committee is a United Nations body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination by its State parties. All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations”.

      The Committee made a number of important observations and has a number of significant recommendations in relation to the ethnic Macedonian minority of Greece. In particular, the Committee was “concerned about reports on the propagation by certain organizations and media outlets of racist stereotypes and hate comments against persons belonging to different ethnic and racial groups”. As a result, the “Committee recommends that the State party [Greece] take effective measures to penalize organizations and media outlets that are guilty of such acts. It further recommends that the State party concretely ban Neo-Nazi groups from its territory and take more effective measures to promote tolerance towards persons of different ethnic origins".

      Moreover, the Committee was “concerned about the obstacles encountered by some ethnic groups in exercising the freedom of association, and in this regard takes note of information on the forced dissolution and refusal to register some associations including words such as “minority”, “Turkish” or “Macedonian”, as well as of the explanation for such refusal”. Thus, the Committee recommended “the State party [Greece] adopt measures to ensure the effective enjoyment by persons belonging to every community or group of their right to freedom of association and of their cultural rights, including the use of mother languages".

      The Australian-Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) and Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) call on the international community to apply pressure on the Greek government to take note of CERD’s observations and implement, in full and without delay, CERD’s recommendations. The AMHRC and MHRMI would also like to take this opportunity to commend the work of the Greek Helsinki Monitor during this CERD monitoring cycle, in particular for submitting a “Parallel Summary Report on Greece’s Compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”.

      Both the Greek Helsinki Monitor’s report and the full text of CERD’s observations and conclusions can be found here: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cerd/cerds75.htm


      Formed in 1984 the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is an Australian based non government organisation that informs and advocates to governments, international institutions and broader communities about combating discrimination and promoting basic human rights. The aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities in Australia and throughout the world are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, or contact AMHRC at +61 3 9460 2910, or [email protected].

      Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information, please visit www.mhrmi.org, or contact MHRMI at 416-850-7125, or [email protected].

      Comment

      • AMHRC
        De-registered
        • Sep 2009
        • 919

        #4
        AMHRC condemns Neos Kosmos

        AMHRC condemns Neos Kosmos for its coverage of the visit of the Macedonian Prime Minister to Australia

        Melbourne – Australia, 27th October, 2009-10-27

        The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) was both shocked and disappointed to read the article entitled “Gruevski makes claims in Sydney Speech” that appeared in the English language online version of Neos Kosmos on Tuesday 27th October 2009.

        A cornerstone of Australian democracy has been freedom of the press, and the AMHRC has been a keen supporter of this important principle. However, both the tone and content of this recent Neos Kosmos article was such that it leaves one with no other option but to call for its censorship.

        To claim that “Gruevski has made irredentist claims against Greece and Bulgaria” was both misleading and highly inflammatory. To construe Prime Minister Gruevski’s reference to the unique opportunity possessed by members of the Macedonian Community in Australia to unite regardless of their region of origin was inaccurate, if not poor journalism at best. Neos Kosmos has responsibilities, like any other media outlet, to ensure that its content does not misinform its readership. Moreover, when such gross inaccuracies are identified, this responsibility extends to making appropriate corrections. We anticipate that Neos Kosmos will do just that.

        What was of greatest concern to the AMHRC was the reference to the Australian Macedonian Community as the “Skopjan Community.” It is common knowledge that this is a pejorative term devised by racist elements within the Greek world. It, among other things, signifies a claim that ethnic Macedonians are a culturally inferior group of people. This is clearly unacceptable.

        The AMHRC intends to raise the matter with the Editor of Neos Kosmos, and if a suitable apology and retraction is not forthcoming, a complaint will be lodged with the appropriate media regulatory bodies. Additionally, the AMHRC is also currently in discussions with its legal counsel and has sought advice as to the options available to it, to redress the hurt and insult caused to the Australian Macedonian Community by the above named article published by Neos Kosmos.

        Formed in 1984 the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee is a non-governmental organisation that informs and advocates to governments, international institutions and broader communities about combating discrimination and promoting human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups in Australia and throughout the world are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, or contact AMHRC on +61 3 93298960, or via [email protected]

        Comment

        • Bij
          Member
          • Oct 2009
          • 905

          #5
          well done AMHRC!

          Comment

          • George S.
            Senior Member
            • Aug 2009
            • 10116

            #6
            As a matter of fact it is the Greeks that are irrendist,why because they want to monopolise the name so that no one else can lay claim.Macedonia is in no way irrendist with a small army of about 8000 soldiers.Where as Greece has 10 times the army of macedonia 240000.So this is a big lie.If one knows their history one will see that it is greece who took over macedonian lands 51% so now we know who would have pretences to it.
            Referring to macedonia as skopje which is insulting the macedonian peopleIf that is the case we should refer to greece as Athens.One can see through this agenda of denatinalizing & denial.Where as 124 countries in the world allready recognize macedonia
            under its constitutional name.
            Last edited by George S.; 10-28-2009, 01:26 AM. Reason: edit
            "Ido not want an uprising of people that would leave me at the first failure, I want revolution with citizens able to bear all the temptations to a prolonged struggle, what, because of the fierce political conditions, will be our guide or cattle to the slaughterhouse"
            GOTSE DELCEV

            Comment

            • Pelister
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2008
              • 2742

              #7
              Greece illegally invaded, and dispossessed us.

              We were annexed by Greece, and that annexation had the full support of Europe.

              All they ever wanted to do was hold onto it, and they knew that was not going to happen while a) Macedonians remained the majority in their own lands, and b) It stayed the way it was.

              Between 1900 and 1923 hundreds of thousands of Macedonians had left the region. We can only guess how many Macedonians were actually living there in 1900, but if I was going to take an educated guess I would say at least 650,000.

              On another note, Kevin O7 has behaved badly.

              Comment

              • George S.
                Senior Member
                • Aug 2009
                • 10116

                #8
                I agree with you on that Pelister does Kevin Rudd 007 know the truth about Macedonia
                Seriously .does any one know where we can get a break down of the population before the balkan wars & after the balkan wars.It would be interesting to see the breakdown.
                Last edited by George S.; 10-28-2009, 06:18 AM. Reason: edit
                "Ido not want an uprising of people that would leave me at the first failure, I want revolution with citizens able to bear all the temptations to a prolonged struggle, what, because of the fierce political conditions, will be our guide or cattle to the slaughterhouse"
                GOTSE DELCEV

                Comment

                • Pavel
                  Member
                  • Oct 2009
                  • 155

                  #9
                  Top work, keep it up.

                  Comment

                  • Pelister
                    Senior Member
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 2742

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Pavel View Post
                    Top work, keep it up.
                    New Greeks speak a language native to no one.

                    Comment

                    • AMHRC
                      De-registered
                      • Sep 2009
                      • 919

                      #11
                      AMHRC/MHRMI Congratulate Vinozhito

                      AMRHC/MHRMI Congratulate EFA – Rainbow/Vinozhito
                      On the Opening of Voden Office

                      15 November 2009

                      Melbourne, Australia and Toronto, Canada – The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee and Macedonian Human Rights Movement International, congratulate the European Free Alliance – Rainbow/Vinozhito - a political party fighting for the human rights of ethnic Macedonians in Greece - on the opening of an office today on the main street of the town of Edessa/Voden in Northern Greece.

                      The opening ceremony was attended by the leaders of Vinozhito’s Voden branch. A bilingual sign (in Greek and Macedonian) with the words “EFA – Rainbow Voden Committee” was displayed on the balcony of the office.

                      The decision to open an office in Edessa/Voden came about as a result of an increasing demand for a central support base from Vinozhito’s local branch members. There is also a hope within Vinozhito’s Central Council that this action will induce the Greek government to finally end its denial of the existence of a Macedonian minority in Greece and begin a process of reconciliation.

                      The Edessa/Voden office is EFA-Rainbow’s second office in Northern Greece. The AMHRC and MHRMI trust that there will not be a repeat of events resembling those around the opening of Vinozhito’s first office. The first office was opened on 6 September 1995 in the town of Florina/Lerin. During the evening, the office was broken into and ransacked, and the bilingual sign “Rainbow Party, Florina Committee” was stolen.

                      The sign was replaced, however on 12 September 1995, priests from the Florina/Lerin region called on people to join a “demonstration to protest against the enemies of Greece who arbitrarily display signs with anti-Hellenic inscriptions.” The statement also called for the “deportation” of those responsible. The very next day, the Lerin office was attacked by a number of people, including the mayor of Florina/Lerin.

                      Upon breaking into the office, these individuals assaulted those inside and confiscated the Vinozhito sign. During the course of the night equipment and furniture on the premises were tossed through the window and set alight. Soon after, four members of Vinozhito were charged with “causing and inciting mutual hatred among the citizens” under Article 192 of the Greek Penal Code. It was only after international pressure that the charges were dropped.

                      This display of intolerance found closure in 2005, when the European Court of Human Rights found the Greek government to be in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights by restricting party members’ freedom of assembly (Article 11) and failing to provide due process within reasonable time (Article 6). The Greek government was ordered to pay €35,000 in compensation to EFA Rainbow. This was a great victory for democratic diversity and Vinozhito’s multi-lingual sign is steadily becoming an accepted part of life in Lerin/Florina.

                      For those interested in contributing support towards Vinozhito’s courageous efforts to defeat ethnocentric bigotry, please contact the AMHRC or MHRMI per the means offered below.

                      Please see photos and Vinozhito's press release about the event:
                      Latest news coverage, email, free stock quotes, live scores and video are just the beginning. Discover more every day at Yahoo!


                      ###

                      Established in 1984 the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee is a non-governmental organisation that informs and advocates to governments, international institutions and broader communities about combating discrimination and promoting human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups throughout the world are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, or contact AMHRC via [email protected] or +61 3 93298960.

                      Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information, please visit www.mhrmi.org, or contact MHRMI at 416-850-7125, or [email protected].
                      Last edited by AMHRC; 11-15-2009, 10:38 AM.

                      Comment

                      • Pavel
                        Member
                        • Oct 2009
                        • 155

                        #12
                        Great News

                        Great news and a really big step forward. Also well done to the human rights teams too.

                        Comment

                        • Risto the Great
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2008
                          • 15658

                          #13
                          This is interesting and welcome news. Perhaps they are hoping to ride on the coat tails of the Voden NGO that has been active of late.
                          Risto the Great
                          MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
                          "Holding my breath for the revolution."

                          Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

                          Comment

                          • AMHRC
                            De-registered
                            • Sep 2009
                            • 919

                            #14
                            Since it began participating in elections in the 1990's, Vinozhito has consistently gained between 400 and 1000 votes in Vodensko. And their 'closet' support base is considerably larger. We can assure you that they are not riding on the coattails of a very recently formed organisation that has an executive of 5 and around 10 students. Vinozhito's Voden Branch ante-dates the existence of this other body by many years and is at least 40 times larger in terms of membership.The opening of this office is for the better servicing of Vinzhito's supporters in the area.

                            It is worth pointing out that Vinozhito also has branches in Salonika and Kukush.The AMHRC has been co-operating with the people on the ground in Aegean Macedonia since 1984 and we are fully aware of the conditions - we have an International Co-ordinator that makes regular monthly visits to the region.

                            Comment

                            • Risto the Great
                              Senior Member
                              • Sep 2008
                              • 15658

                              #15
                              Originally posted by AMHRC View Post
                              Since it began participating in elections in the 1990's, Vinozhito has consistently gained between 400 and 1000 votes in Vodensko. And their 'closet' support base is considerably larger. We can assure you that they are not riding on the coattails of a very recently formed organisation that has an executive of 5 and around 10 students. Vinozhito's Voden Branch ante-dates the existence of this other body by many years and is at least 40 times larger in terms of membership.The opening of this office is for the better servicing of Vinzhito's supporters in the area.
                              Thanks.
                              Lets hope everyone comes out of the closet real soon!
                              Risto the Great
                              MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
                              "Holding my breath for the revolution."

                              Hey, I wrote a bestseller. Check it out: www.ren-shen.com

                              Comment

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