South Australian Premier Mike Rann, an enemy to Macedonians

[Volk]

Our strength in SA is not in our vote (since there is maybe 2000 that can vote) but in our ability to sway undecided voters away from a mike rann government

[Pavel]

by the way well done to the amhrc for causing some well timed bad publicity for rann in the last week of the campaign. according to some of the libs in sa they got good coverage on abc radio during that last week of campaigning and it did do some damage (of course we can't be certain how much) to rann.

[Rogi]

Given that the voting method in Australia is via the secret ballot, I'm not sure what kind of statistics you are seeking and how such statistics can be gathered?

[Phoenix]

by the way well done to the amhrc for causing some well timed bad publicity for rann in the last week of the campaign. according to some of the libs in sa they got good coverage on abc radio during that last week of campaigning and it did do some damage (of course we can't be certain how much) to rann.

In hindsight perhaps an organized protest campaign targeting marginal ALP seats, as well as Rann's electorate could have generated some extra publicity for the Macedonian issue and highlight Rann's discrimination.

It could have been achieved with nothing more than a few banners and several individuals...or we could have followed Rann around all day together with the 'Pandas', they didn't have too much trouble making the evening news....

As a community we need to develop better 'street smarts' and become more opportunistic when it comes to publicizing our cause...
Groups like the AMHRC do a great job, often 'behind the scenes' but we need to explore every avenue open to us...

[Soldier of Macedon]

Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee Inc.
Suite 106, Level 1, 55 Flemington Road, North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3051

Hon Mike Rann MP
Premier of South Australia
GPO Box 2343
Adelaide SA 5001

Mr. Rann,

Inflammatory Comments against ethnic Macedonians

We have been made aware of your attendance last year at the 31st Annual “Dimitria Greek Festival” (29/11/09) in South Australia. Upon listening to the speech you delivered to the Greek community at this event, we came to the conclusion that it was inflammatory, bigoted and offensive.

To begin with, you referred to the current President of the Republic of Macedonia as someone who is “stirring up trouble in the most dangerous way”. Your justification for this is that he and the Macedonian government are utilising the symbol of Alexander the Great, in a variety of public projects. We very much doubt that any objectively minded person could agree that this is a ‘dangerous stirring up of trouble’.


However, this was not enough for you Mr. Premier; you then moved on to raise the level of vilification against ethnic Macedonians by making the following assertion to your ethnic Greek audience at the festival: “People sometimes say to me, but why is this important? It is important because no one is entitled to steal another nation’s history or culture; that’s why it’s important”. Premier, you have implied that ethnic Macedonians are thieves and thereby you have provided succour to bigots by vilifying ethnic Macedonians in general.

We shall make use of relevant legislation to ensure that you are held to account for spreading this type of hatred.

Sincerely yours,

George Vlahov
President
Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee Inc.
Tel/Fax: +61 3 9329 8960
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.macedonianhr.org.au

CC: Australian Human Rights Commission
Senator the Hon Chris Evans MP, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Cth)
Hon Michael Atkinson MP, Minister for Multicultural Affairs (SA)
South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission
Equal Opportunity Commission South Australia
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
Special Broadcasting Corporation (SBS)

AMHRC, can you give us an update on what the status is of the situation?

[AMHRC]

SoM,

The matter is still in the hands of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commission has been carrying out an investigation and it has received a response to our complaint, from Rann. Rann released his response (as we reported) to the media. This enabled our committee to also publicly respond to his response (that document is in this thread). We are now merely waiting for the commission to inform us of the next step. We might speculate that the Commission may attempt to organise a mediation meeting between the AMHRC and Rann; however, that is, as indicated, simply an educated guess, not fact. When there is news, we shall make an announcement.

AMHRC.

[julie]

Thank you AMHRC

[Rogi]

AMHRC, what is the situation on the ground?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm in a joking mood

[Soldier of Macedon]

SoM,

The matter is still in the hands of the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Commission has been carrying out an investigation and it has received a response to our complaint, from Rann. Rann released his response (as we reported) to the media. This enabled our committee to also publicly respond to his response (that document is in this thread). We are now merely waiting for the commission to inform us of the next step. We might speculate that the Commission may attempt to organise a mediation meeting between the AMHRC and Rann; however, that is, as indicated, simply an educated guess, not fact. When there is news, we shall make an announcement.

AMHRC.

Thanks for the prompt reply, keep us all posted.

[Prolet]

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm in a joking mood

Thanks Rogi

AMHRC, Spolaj Ti na izveshtajot

[TrueMacedonian]

'Forthright' Rann cleared of racism

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/na ... 5885416372

'Forthright' Rann cleared of racism
June 29, 2010 12:00AM
SOUTH Australian Premier Mike Rann has been cleared of racially vilifying the people of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Human Rights Commission found Mr Rann had no case to answer for claiming the Macedonian state was stealing Greek history and culture, an accusation the Premier made in a speech at a Greek festival in Adelaide last year. In the speech, Mr Rann also accused Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov of "stirring up trouble in a most dangerous way" with Greece.

The comments sparked a complaint to the HRC by South Australia's Macedonian community but judge Catherine Branson ruled it to be "lacking in substance".

Mr Rann said he abhorred racism and his criticisms were directed at the policies of the Ivanov government, not Macedonians.

"I stand on my record of racial and ethnic tolerance. I will not be intimidated by anyone from speaking forthrightly on behalf of historical truth," Mr Rann said.

[TrueMacedonian]

Justice has not been served. This is absolute BS!!!

[Risto the Great]

TM, the above link did not work.
I would like to read the decision in detail.

[TrueMacedonian]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/forthright-rann-cleared-of-racism/story-e6frg6nf-1225885416372

try this link.

[Soldier of Macedon]

What an absolute disgrace and unfair judgement. This racist animal has taken sides in an ethnic dispute where he should have remained impartial, yet he still got off the hook because there was no substance in our claims? What sort of politician is this? What sort of country is this?

On this day, I am ashamed to be an Australian.