Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC)

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • AMHRC
    De-registered
    • Sep 2009
    • 919

    AMHRC Invitation to Book Launch

    The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) invites you to the launch of the book:

    “Three generations, two countries of origin, one speech community: Australian-Macedonians and their language(s)”
    by Dr Jim Hlavac - Monash University


    Wednesday 25 October 2017
    7:00pm for 7:30pm start

    Macedonian Orthodox Community
    Meeting Room (at rear of church)
    512 High St, Epping 3076

    Guest speaker:
    Prof. Victor Friedman
    (University of Chicago)

    Copies of the book will be on sale for $50
    (Retail price: $65)

    No RSVP needed.

    Comment

    • AMHRC
      De-registered
      • Sep 2009
      • 919

      MHR Review #28

      MHR Review #28

      Just released and free to download:



      Inside this issue:

      *A Fragment of the General Inconsistency - George Vlahov
      *Europe's Margin of Appreciation for Greece - Dr. Vasko Nastevski
      *Home of Macedonian Culture - David Vitkov
      *Judicial Inadequacy in Greece - Marianna Bekiari
      *Justice Delayed - Dr. Vasko Nastevski
      *In Memoriam: Tashko Bulev - David Vitkov
      *Myths in Greek Historiography - Dr. Dimitar Vamvakovski
      *On the Agreement with Bulgaria - OMO, MHRMI & MAEI
      *Macedonian Literature in English - Dr. Michael Seraphinoff
      *Macedonians in America - Victor Sinadinoski
      *Book Launch: The Languages of Australian Macedonians

      All earlier editions can be downloaded from the AMHRC website:

      Comment

      • AMHRC
        De-registered
        • Sep 2009
        • 919

        MHR Review #29

        Macedonian Human Rights Review #29

        Download link on the AMHRC website here: http://www.macedonianhr.org.au/contents/214

        Inside this issue:

        *Public Intellectuals in Macedonia - George Vlahov
        *The Zaev Briefing - David Vitkov
        *Self-Delusion - Dr. Tom Vangelovski
        *Проглас
        *Before the Rain - Dr. Michael Seraphinoff
        *EFA in Pirin
        *A Different View from Sofia
        *Greek Propaganda in Ottoman Macedonia - Dr. Dimitar Vamvakovski
        *The Macedonian Question - Victor Sinadinoski

        Comment

        • Risto the Great
          Senior Member
          • Sep 2008
          • 15658

          An excellent read.
          Risto the Great
          MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
          "Holding my breath for the revolution."

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

          Comment

          • vicsinad
            Senior Member
            • May 2011
            • 2337

            Yes, some good articles.

            Vangelovski: don't know when you finished (I know you were studying), but congrats on getting your doctorate.

            Comment

            • Vangelovski
              Senior Member
              • Sep 2008
              • 8530

              Originally posted by vicsinad View Post
              Yes, some good articles.

              Vangelovski: don't know when you finished (I know you were studying), but congrats on getting your doctorate.
              Thanks vicsinad
              If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

              The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations...This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution. John Adams

              Comment

              • AMHRC
                De-registered
                • Sep 2009
                • 919

                AMHRC Condemns Language Law

                AMHRC Condemns Unconstitutional Language Law in Macedonia

                Melbourne 15/3/2018 - Today, the SDSM-DUI coalition governing Macedonia, passed a law converting Albanian into an official language of state in the Republic of Macedonia. The law was passed in defiance of correct parliamentary procedure and the constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The law represents an implementation of the foreign policy goals of neighbouring Albania. It will lead to excessively onerous administrative and financial difficulties for an already dysfunctional state.

                From a human rights perspective, it is undoubtedly proper that ethnic Albanians have always possessed the right to use their mother tongue and to maintain it via state funded educational institutions, in the Republic of Macedonia. Indeed, the linguistic and other rights granted to the ethnic Albanian minority by the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement exceed standard international conventions and accords designed to protect minority groups. Put another way: ethnic Albanians in Macedonia enjoy legal protections for their linguistic and other rights, which surpass those possessed by almost any other minority group in Europe.

                The imposition of a language spoken by around 20% of the population on the remaining 80%, has nothing to do with human rights and responsible citizenship; rather, it reeks of nationalism bent on destruction.
                The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) unequivocally condemns this undermining of the rule of law in Macedonia and will pursue avenues that lead to its repeal.

                *****
                Established in 1984, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is a non-governmental organisation that informs and advocates before international institutions, governments and broader communities about combating racism 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 email [email protected].

                Comment

                • vicsinad
                  Senior Member
                  • May 2011
                  • 2337

                  Not much more needs to be said.

                  Comment

                  • Risto the Great
                    Senior Member
                    • Sep 2008
                    • 15658

                    death knell
                    noun
                    the tolling of a bell to mark someone's death.
                    used to refer to the imminent destruction or failure of something.
                    Risto the Great
                    MACEDONIA:ANHEDONIA
                    "Holding my breath for the revolution."

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

                    Comment

                    • Bill77
                      Senior Member
                      • Oct 2009
                      • 4545

                      Under Serbia, our people were forced to speak Serbian.....
                      Under Greece, our people were forced to speak Greek.....
                      Under Bulgaria, our people were forced to speak Bulgarian.....

                      Part of us a free...... now that part are forced to speak Albanian....
                      How the hell does this happen to us?
                      http://www.macedoniantruth.org/forum/showthread.php?p=120873#post120873

                      Comment

                      • Albo
                        Member
                        • May 2014
                        • 304

                        Originally posted by AMHRC View Post
                        AMHRC Condemns Unconstitutional Language Law in Macedonia

                        Melbourne 15/3/2018 - Today, the SDSM-DUI coalition governing Macedonia, passed a law converting Albanian into an official language of state in the Republic of Macedonia. The law was passed in defiance of correct parliamentary procedure and the constitution of the Republic of Macedonia. The law represents an implementation of the foreign policy goals of neighbouring Albania. It will lead to excessively onerous administrative and financial difficulties for an already dysfunctional state.

                        From a human rights perspective, it is undoubtedly proper that ethnic Albanians have always possessed the right to use their mother tongue and to maintain it via state funded educational institutions, in the Republic of Macedonia. Indeed, the linguistic and other rights granted to the ethnic Albanian minority by the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement exceed standard international conventions and accords designed to protect minority groups. Put another way: ethnic Albanians in Macedonia enjoy legal protections for their linguistic and other rights, which surpass those possessed by almost any other minority group in Europe.

                        The imposition of a language spoken by around 20% of the population on the remaining 80%, has nothing to do with human rights and responsible citizenship; rather, it reeks of nationalism bent on destruction.
                        The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) unequivocally condemns this undermining of the rule of law in Macedonia and will pursue avenues that lead to its repeal.


                        This statement I believe has many errors.. (my opinion)

                        Today, the SDSM-DUI coalition governing Macedonia, passed a law converting Albanian into an official language of state in the Republic of Macedonia.
                        Incorrect.. the Albanian language isn't the second official language of the country.. this would require constitutional change with a 2/3 majority.. Albanian has been enhanced yes.. but its not fully offical..

                        The law was passed in defiance of correct parliamentary procedure and the constitution of the Republic of Macedonia.
                        This is an opinion.. many lawmakers (the majority) think otherwise.. this is something the constitutional court needs to decide..

                        The law represents an implementation of the foreign policy goals of neighbouring Albania.
                        False... this has been part of every single Albanian party from mk policy since independence.. the demand has been the same for over 25 years.. long before Tirana supported the law..

                        It will lead to excessively onerous administrative and financial difficulties for an already dysfunctional state.
                        Nobody knows the cost.. but as Albanians are also tax payers who fill over 1/4 of the state budget, in sure the money can be found as it is found in many countries where there is multi language use.. there are plenty of European example countries where multi language administrations exist and doesn't effect the functionality of the state.


                        Indeed, the linguistic and other rights granted to the ethnic Albanian minority by the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement exceed standard international conventions and accords designed to protect minority groups. Put another way: ethnic Albanians in Macedonia enjoy legal protections for their linguistic and other rights, which surpass those possessed by almost any other minority group in Europe.
                        Firstly... I'm not saying that there aren't other countries in europe where minorities wish they had the language rights that exits in Macedonia.. but to say that there aren't other even Balkan cointries let alone European countries who's minority language laws are far greater than those of Macedonia for the Albanians (who make up one of the largest minority groups) of a country whos language isn't fully official is a bit far fetched..

                        Also lets not forget that the term "Albanian Language" has been wiped out for the term "over 20% population who speaks another language apart from Macedonian"

                        This in itself is rare and dergrading.. (but lets not get into this)

                        The imposition of a language spoken by around 20% of the population on the remaining 80%
                        Why 20%? officially its 25% plus lets not forget that many self declaring ethnic Turks and Roma also speak or understand Albanian.. so the percentage at actually higher than 25%. Macedonians make up 65% not 80% .. most minorities don't use Macedonian as a mother tongue.

                        Also Albanian isn't being "imposed" on anyone.. nobody will be forced to learn or use Albanian if they don't want to.. this is a scare tactic.

                        has nothing to do with human rights and responsible citizenship; rather, it reeks of nationalism bent on destruction.
                        For a human rights organization who had many years of great work and articles promoting the language rights of ethnic Macedonians outside RoM and who know very well the rights and needs of minority communities ...to be so much against the elevation of a minority language is disappointing.. I have and will always support ethnic Macedonians to express full language and identity rights (as do most Albanians) ..

                        I would really like to know the reaction from AMHRC if the same law was to be adopted for Macedonians in any country outside RoM where Macedonians live and see how much they would condemn the law..

                        Comment

                        • mklion
                          Member
                          • Jun 2014
                          • 100

                          Originally posted by Albo View Post
                          This statement I believe has many errors.. (my opinion)


                          Incorrect.. the Albanian language isn't the second official language of the country.. this would require constitutional change with a 2/3 majority.. Albanian has been enhanced yes.. but its not fully offical..



                          This is an opinion.. many lawmakers (the majority) think otherwise.. this is something the constitutional court needs to decide..



                          False... this has been part of every single Albanian party from mk policy since independence.. the demand has been the same for over 25 years.. long before Tirana supported the law..


                          Nobody knows the cost.. but as Albanians are also tax payers who fill over 1/4 of the state budget, in sure the money can be found as it is found in many countries where there is multi language use.. there are plenty of European example countries where multi language administrations exist and doesn't effect the functionality of the state.




                          Firstly... I'm not saying that there aren't other countries in europe where minorities wish they had the language rights that exits in Macedonia.. but to say that there aren't other even Balkan cointries let alone European countries who's minority language laws are far greater than those of Macedonia for the Albanians (who make up one of the largest minority groups) of a country whos language isn't fully official is a bit far fetched..

                          Also lets not forget that the term "Albanian Language" has been wiped out for the term "over 20% population who speaks another language apart from Macedonian"

                          This in itself is rare and dergrading.. (but lets not get into this)



                          Why 20%? officially its 25% plus lets not forget that many self declaring ethnic Turks and Roma also speak or understand Albanian.. so the percentage at actually higher than 25%. Macedonians make up 65% not 80% .. most minorities don't use Macedonian as a mother tongue.

                          Also Albanian isn't being "imposed" on anyone.. nobody will be forced to learn or use Albanian if they don't want to.. this is a scare tactic.



                          For a human rights organization who had many years of great work and articles promoting the language rights of ethnic Macedonians outside RoM and who know very well the rights and needs of minority communities ...to be so much against the elevation of a minority language is disappointing.. I have and will always support ethnic Macedonians to express full language and identity rights (as do most Albanians) ..

                          I would really like to know the reaction from AMHRC if the same law was to be adopted for Macedonians in any country outside RoM where Macedonians live and see how much they would condemn the law..
                          The difference between Macedonians and Albanians is that most Macedonian minorities have assimilated into the countries they live in. They did not form a "Macedonian Liberation Army" and try to gain more rights with terrorism and acts of war where the Albanians have.

                          If the Albanians showed some loyalty to the Macedonian state then there would probably be no outrage against giving them as many rights as they want.

                          Deep down inside all Macedonians and Albanians know the end game is a greater Albania.

                          Now I still consider Macedonians very lucky to be in the position they are in. Why? Well because of the following

                          1. Albanians are emigrating en mass out of the country to the tune of 4-6000 a year. This is a devastating emigration rate for a population of around 470000

                          2. Birth rates are falling. The total fertility rate of the Albanians in Macedonia is probably similar to the Albanians in Kosovo approximately 2.1 kids per family. They will never be able to outbreed the Macedonians. Ever.

                          3. Albanian universities in their native language are the best thing we could ask for. The more educated the women are the less likely they will have 5 kids each. Also allows them to enter the work force giving them less time for caregiving

                          4. By gaining more "rights" they will think they have accomplished something. But the reality is Macedonia is a poor country and the Albanians are the poorest of the poor. So while they feel happy with their "rights" they will still have zero in the bank account and low job prospects and opportunities

                          5. One could argue that Albania is ahead of Macedonia on its path to the EU. If Albania gets into the EU before macedonia does it will suck out thousands of Albanians out of the country.

                          Comment

                          • Amphipolis
                            Banned
                            • Aug 2014
                            • 1328

                            Originally posted by mklion View Post
                            1. Albanians are emigrating en mass out of the country to the tune of 4-6000 a year. This is a devastating emigration rate for a population of around 470000

                            3. Albanian universities in their native language are the best thing we could ask for. The more educated the women are the less likely they will have 5 kids each. Also allows them to enter the work force giving them less time for caregiving

                            4. By gaining more "rights" they will think they have accomplished something. But the reality is Macedonia is a poor country and the Albanians are the poorest of the poor. So while they feel happy with their "rights" they will still have zero in the bank account and low job prospects and opportunities

                            5. One could argue that Albania is ahead of Macedonia on its path to the EU. If Albania gets into the EU before macedonia does it will suck out thousands of Albanians out of the country.
                            1. Are you sure your numbers are correct? Is this 1% emigration per year? So, will they totally vanish in 100 years?

                            3. LOL, yes. Education for women is the safest road for the demise of the human race. There will even be a day when gypsy women will have education.

                            4 . Genius. Just a genius plan.

                            5. Seriously now. This isn’t so. European Union will probably have a plan for many Western Balkan countries joining together so that one does not block the other. This isn’t in the near future (10 years), probably in 20 years. Also, life tends to have shocking events, so you never know.



                            ===
                            Last edited by Amphipolis; 03-16-2018, 03:40 PM.

                            Comment

                            • AMHRC
                              De-registered
                              • Sep 2009
                              • 919

                              Originally posted by Albo View Post
                              This statement I believe has many errors.. (my opinion)

                              My opinion is that you have propounded many errors.


                              Incorrect.. the Albanian language isn't the second official language of the country.. this would require constitutional change with a 2/3 majority.. Albanian has been enhanced yes.. but its not fully offical..

                              If the law is Gazetted and put into practice, then yes it would be a second official state language. The law requires that every single document produced by the state, be in both Macedonian and Albanian. That is why we assert that the law is unconstitutional! This is the meaning of vtor sluzben jazik!



                              This is an opinion.. many lawmakers (the majority) think otherwise.. this is something the constitutional court needs to decide..

                              Yes it is an opinion and if the CC does its job properly, it will rule the law unconstitutional.



                              False... this has been part of every single Albanian party from mk policy since independence.. the demand has been the same for over 25 years.. long before Tirana supported the law..

                              It is not false, it has been stated as a foreign policy goal by the current administration in Albania. Some time ago the Albanian premier even went as far claiming credit for it, in public!

                              Nobody knows the cost.. but as Albanians are also tax payers who fill over 1/4 of the state budget, in sure the money can be found as it is found in many countries where there is multi language use.. there are plenty of European example countries where multi language administrations exist and doesn't effect the functionality of the state.

                              Of course the cost of producing every single state document in both languages will be excessive, not to mention all the translators and interpreters that will need to be hired in numerous other situations.




                              Firstly... I'm not saying that there aren't other countries in europe where minorities wish they had the language rights that exits in Macedonia.. but to say that there aren't other even Balkan cointries let alone European countries who's minority language laws are far greater than those of Macedonia for the Albanians (who make up one of the largest minority groups) of a country whos language isn't fully official is a bit far fetched..

                              It is not far fetched, it is a fact!

                              Also lets not forget that the term "Albanian Language" has been wiped out for the term "over 20% population who speaks another language apart from Macedonian"

                              This in itself is rare and dergrading.. (but lets not get into this)

                              You make absolutely no sense here with this comment.



                              Why 20%? officially its 25% plus lets not forget that many self declaring ethnic Turks and Roma also speak or understand Albanian.. so the percentage at actually higher than 25%. Macedonians make up 65% not 80% .. most minorities don't use Macedonian as a mother tongue.

                              Also Albanian isn't being "imposed" on anyone.. nobody will be forced to learn or use Albanian if they don't want to.. this is a scare tactic.

                              We say "around" 20%, because nobody knows what the precise figure is, as there has not been a census since 2002! So you are talking nonsense when you make claims about "actual" percentages. When we state 80% we mean the rest of the population, not just Macedonians. Albanian is imposed, because Albanians will not be the only ones paying for it, the remaining (estimated) 80% of the population will be paying for an unnecessary, very expensive, excessively burdensome law.



                              For a human rights organization who had many years of great work and articles promoting the language rights of ethnic Macedonians outside RoM and who know very well the rights and needs of minority communities ...to be so much against the elevation of a minority language is disappointing.. I have and will always support ethnic Macedonians to express full language and identity rights (as do most Albanians) ..

                              Unlike Macedonians in Greece, Bulgaria and Albania, the ethnic Albanians in Macedonia, already possess all the linguistic rights they need to lead a normal functional life. We are against this unnecessary undermining of the rule of law. Moreover, this unnecessary law is obviously part of a long term separatist agenda in the minds of a very substantial number of Albanian nationalists.

                              I would really like to know the reaction from AMHRC if the same law was to be adopted for Macedonians in any country outside RoM where Macedonians live and see how much they would condemn the law..
                              That would depend on the specifics of the context. Really, your position is untenable, there are substantial parts of Albania, where even the existence of Macedonians is still officially denied; so throwing up this question is simply an attempt to remove the discussion from reality.
                              Last edited by AMHRC; 03-16-2018, 06:52 PM.

                              Comment

                              • mklion
                                Member
                                • Jun 2014
                                • 100

                                Originally posted by Amphipolis View Post
                                1. Are you sure your numbers are correct? Is this 1% emigration per year? So, will they totally vanish in 100 years?

                                3. LOL, yes. Education for women is the safest road for the demise of the human race. There will even be a day when gypsy women will have education.

                                4 . Genius. Just a genius plan.

                                5. Seriously now. This isn’t so. European Union will probably have a plan for many Western Balkan countries joining together so that one does not block the other. This isn’t in the near future (10 years), probably in 20 years. Also, life tends to have shocking events, so you never know.



                                ===
                                1. Yes these are very accurate numbers based on official stats from the Macedonian State Statistical office which I have been reviewing over the past 3-4 years. They publish records of the number of Albanian students who study in their language all across the country. You can find the sources here

                                The State Statistical Office is specialised and independent organisation within the state administration in the Republic of Macedonia. The basic functions of the institution are collecting, processing and disseminating statistical data about the demographic, social and economic situation of the Macedonian society.


                                If you look at the numbers from 2005 until present the stats are as follows

                                Albanian students........Total Number of Students in the country
                                2005 79428................235185 (34.0%)
                                2006 78486................228207 (33.8%)
                                2007 75141.….............220833 (33.6%)
                                2008 72570................215078 (33.2%)
                                2009 69922................208980 (33.0%)
                                2010 66156................201914 (32.3%)
                                2011 65085................197859 (32.5%)
                                2012 63483................194055 (32.3%)
                                2013 62118................190541 (32.6%)
                                2014 62012................188361 (32.9%)
                                2015 60127................185119 (32.4%)

                                There is a decrease of almost 20000 students or a catastrophic 24% drop in approximately 10 years. This amounts to losing approximately 1900 students per year of Albanian ethnicity. This loss can only be due to emigration (likely) or having less kids on average (unlikely) since the Albanian Total fertility rate in Macedonia is around 2.1 kids per family.

                                So lets assume for sake of discussion that 1500 students emigrate - well that means that for every one student there is a mother and father that emigrate as well so 1500 X 3 = 4500 people.

                                This estimate does not include young emigrants with no kids. The older Albanians usually stay put and dont leave the country.

                                The point of Albanians emigrating is not that they will "disappear" what matters is that they become a small proportion of voters in the country who wont be able to influence election results.

                                3. An educated woman does not have 4 kids. Albanians in the country receive rights based on how many there are. For every Albanian that leaves the country the lower the chance they can influence change based on their numbers by receiving rights, voting or implementing nationalistic policies that only benefit them.

                                4. Its not a plan - its whats happening. While they celebrate "language rights" they leave the country at the first chance they get.

                                5.Greece is going to keep Macedonia out of the EU and Albania will be admitted probably before we are. The way Macedonians get Bulgarian passports to enter the EU why wouldn't Albanians? It would be much easier for them to do so.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X