Albania: Situation of ethnic Greeks in Albania, particularly with respect to the Albanian authorities, and available protection (update to ALB25689.E of 16 December 1996)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 November 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ALB33203.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Albania: Situation of ethnic Greeks in Albania, particularly with respect to the Albanian authorities, and available protection (update to ALB25689.E of 16 December 1996), 16 November 1999, ALB33203.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aaaa48.html [accessed 3 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Albanian government estimates put the number of ethnic Greeks in Albania at approximately 55,000 to 80,000, while Greek government figures put it at 250,000 to 400,000 (AP 8 April 1999; RFE/RL 6 Mar. 1997). Most ethnic Greeks live in the southern part of the country (IHF-HR July 1999), in districts such as Gjirokaster, Vlora and Sarande (RFE/RL 6 Mar. 1997). The Union of Human Rights Party (PBDNj) represents the ethnic Greek minority in Albania (ICG 6 Jan. 1999; U.S. Department of State Mar. 1999). PBDNj representatives are present in the coalition government of Premier Pandeli Majko (ICG 6 Jan. 1999).
Sources indicate that in recent years the Albanian government has been "eager to settle disputes with Greece over the ethnic Greek minority in Albania," and as a result relations between the two countries have improved dramatically since 1994 (Transitions 1997; U.S. Department of State Mar. 1999). In 1996 the two countries signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and discussed the issue of Greek-language education for Albania's ethnic Greek minority (ibid.).
Two recent human rights reports indicate that the overall situation of Albania's ethnic Greeks has improved in recent years. According to a July 1999 report from the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF-HR), the Albania Helsinki Committee has indicated that "the minority question in Albania has been dealt with and [is] characterized by a strong tradition of normal and friendly coexistence between the Albanian majority and the Greek ethnic population." According to the U.S. Department of State's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999, the Archbishop of Albania's Orthodox Church, a Greek national, has noted that despite incidents of vandalism against Orthodox churches and other buildings, "there was little if any evidence of active persecution against the ethnic Greek minority . [He] concluded that the problem was the country's general climate of insecurity, rather than religious repression" (9 Sept 1999). The same report also found that while some members of the ethnic Greek minority and the Orthodox Church had left Albania during the previous 18 months, these departures were primarily due to the "lack of security and economic prospects" (ibid.).
Despite improvement in the overall situation, sources indicate that Albania's ethnic Greek community experienced problems during the 1997-1999 period. On 26 June 1997, two Greek minority leaders, Theodore Beziani and Bassilis Kremmydas, were kidnapped in the run-up to the 1997 general election (AFP 26 June 1997). While Beziani was kidnapped to force his daughter to withdraw her candidacy from the election, Kremmydas was reportedly kidnapped for ransom (ibid.). Both were members of Omonia, an organization representing some 150,000 ethnic Greeks (ibid.).
In November 1998 Jane's Intelligence Review reported that a flask containing explosives had been thrown at the house of PBDNj chairman Vasil Melo (1 Nov. 1998). At the time the PBDNj was part of the coalition led by Socialist Party prime minister Fatos Nano (ibid.).
Two June 1999 sources indicated rising concern among the ethnic Greek community in Albania after several kidnappings involving members of the Greek minority (Athens News 9 June 1999; ANA 26 June 1999). Community leaders reportedly called on both the Greek and Albanian authorities to better protect their lives and property (ibid.). Another source notes, however, that the overall security situation in Albania remains very poor and that organized crime increased significantly in 1998 (ICG 6 Jan. 1999).
On 23 September 1999 the Athens News Agency (ANA) reported that for the second year in a row, the "Albanian education ministry appears to have ignored demands of ethnic Greeks in the Heimarra and Premeti districts for schools," as many children were being sent to schools in Greece. The ethnic Greek organization Omonia reportedly described the ministry's decision as "a brutal violation of the Greek community's constitutional right to education in their mother tongue" (ibid.).
For additional information on the situation of ethnic Greeks in Albania, please consult the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998, which is available in Regional Documentation Centres.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Agence France Presse (AFP). 26 June 1997. "Greek Minority Leaders Kidnapped Ahead of Albanian Poll." (NEXIS)
The Associated Press (AP). 8 April 1999. "Athens Fears Kosovo Refugees Could Hurt Greek Minority." (NEXIS)
Athens News [Athens, in English]. 9 June 1999. "Ethnic Greeks in Albania Concerned Over Kidnappings." (FBIS-WEU-1999-0609
Athens News Agency (ANA). 23 September 1999. "Greek Schools Fail to Open in Albania." (FBIS-WEU-1999-092326 Sept. 1999/WNC)
_____. 26 June 1999. "Ethnic Greek Minority Members in Albania Request Better Protection."
International Crisis Group (ICG). 6 January 1999. The State of Albania.
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF-HR). July 1999. Periodic Reports from the OSCE Region: The Minority Question in Albania.
Jane's Intelligence Review (JIR). 1 November 1998. "Security Briefs: Assassinations in Albania." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 6 March 1997. Jolyon Naegele. "Albania: Neighbors Gird for Further Unrest."
Transitions [Prague]. 1997. Fabian Schmidt. "Albania's Fledgling Democracy Runs Aground."
United States Department of State. 9 September 1999. Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999: Albania.
United States Department of State, Bureau of European Affairs. March 1999. Background Notes: Albania, March 1999.
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic Sources: IRB Databases; LEXIS/NEXIS; WNC; Internet sites, including:
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1998
Ethnologue: Languages of the World. 1996. 13th ed.
Human Rights Watch (HRW).
International League for Human Rights (ILHR).
Open Media Research Institute (OMRI).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Slavic Research Centre (Hokkaido University)
UK Home Office country assessment.
World Socialist Web Site (WSWS).
