Thomas Hammarberg. Report on the Greek minority in Albania

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Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights
Report on Albania
18 June, 2008

IV. NATIONAL AND OTHER MINORITIES (focused on the Greek Minority)
41. Albania is a state party to the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (hereinafter “the Framework Convention”) since 2000. The Government submitted its second report to the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention. On 18 May 2007 and the committee is expected to adopt its Opinion during the first half of 2008 following a visit to the country.
42. Albania has not yet signed the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Some seminars aiming to share information and expertise on the said Charter are being organized in cooperation between the Albanian authorities and the Council of Europe.
43. Albania has made impressive efforts in the protection of minorities. Establishment of the State Committee on Minorities, formulation of a “National Strategy for the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Roma” and various improvements in the relevant legislation are positive examples of steps taken to protect the rights of its minorities.
44. The Framework Convention leaves the definition of the scope of the term “national minority” to the State Parties. Albania recognizes the Greek, Macedonian and Montenegrin minorities as “national” minorities while the Roma and Aromanians/Vlachs are recognized as “ethno-linguistic” ones. It is understood that for recognition as a national minority in Albania, a group of individuals should have a kinship state, share a common language other than Albanian, a national identity, distinct culture and traditions.
46. The Government of Albania established in March 2004 the State Committee for Minorities (hereinafter “the Committee”), under the authority of the Prime Minister, to “further urge the participation of persons belonging to minorities in the public life as well as to suggest measures for the exercise and the protection of the rights and freedoms of these minorities.” The Committee is composed of the representatives of five recognized minorities with a Chairperson selected by the Prime Minister. Currently the Chairperson is a representative of the Greek minority.
47. In view of the importance of the Committee as a central body for minority protection, the Commissioner suggests that its status and mandate should be reviewed and adequate financial and human resources should be provided for its work. This need was mentioned during the Commissioner’s meetings with both the Committee and other representatives of minorities.
49. There is a lack of accurate and updated statistical data on minorities in Albania. The last census in Albania was done in 2001 without including questions on national, ethnic and religious belonging. This has had a negative effect on the ability of the Albanian Government to formulate, implement and monitor measures and policies with regard to the persons belonging national minorities. Therefore, the Commissioner urges the Albanian Government to search for the appropriate ways and means for acquiring reliable statistical data on minorities including on age, gender and location.
50. The Greek minority in Albania constitutes the largest minority group in the country. After the last elections, the Human Rights Party which primarily represents the ethnic Greeks in the country won two seats in the Parliament and participated the current governing Coalition with the Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. Their social and economic situation in the country is comparatively positive as is their level of participation in the legislative and executive bodies. However, the Commissioner has received complaints from the Greek minority representatives especially on the issues of education and property restitution. The Commissioner underlines the importance of continues dialogue on these issues.
55. During his meetings with the local authorities, the Commissioner recognized ambiguity with regard to the responsibility for the concrete programs and their funding between the local and central authorities. Such ambiguity should not be allowed to prevent the actual implementation of the policies and planning of new initiatives for improving the conditions of minorities in general and the Roma minority in particular. The Commissioner stresses the importance of effective coordination between the central and local authorities with regard to their policies towards the minorities.