Albania: Information on the treatment of ethnic Greeks in Albania by Albanian authorities, and any redress available to them
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ALB19576.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Albania: Information on the treatment of ethnic Greeks in Albania by Albanian authorities, and any redress available to them, 1 January 1995, ALB19576.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab8b3c.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. |
Information available to the DIRB indicate that there have been long standing tensions between Albania and Greece (RFE/RL 18 Mar. 1994, 19-24; ibid. 20 Aug. 1993, 30-35). Religious difference and the situation of ethnic Greek minorities in Albania remain contentious issues in Greek-Albanian relations, despite efforts to resolve their difference by both parties (ibid.). While the government of Greece alleged that the needs of Greeks in Albania are being not met, Albania officials maintain that "the Greek minority enjoy full civil and human rights" (ibid. 1994, 19). In June 1993 the Albanian authorities expelled a Greek Orthodox cleric on grounds that he was promoting "Greek separatism" (ibid., 21), and Greece reportedly responded by deporting illegal Albanian migrants to Greece (ibid. 20 Aug. 1993, 33).
Greeks in Albania have reportedly taken advantage of the tensions between the two countries for their own ends. According to RFE/RL,
some members seek autonomy within Albania; more extremist forces have called for outright annexation to Greece. While Greek representatives in the Albanian parliament often appear conciliatory, there is no doubt that they support a separatist agenda; have become quite adept at political maneuvering ... (ibid., 33).
In April 1994, four ethnic Greeks were arrested in Albania and charged with espionage and illegal possession of weapons (Reuters 18 Aug., 1994). The ethnic Greeks claimed they were forced to confess under psychological or physical torture, but the Albanian government denied these allegations (ibid.). For additional information on the situation of ethnic Greeks in Albania, please refer to the attached documents.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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.
References
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Research Institute. 18 March 1994. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 3,
No. 11. Robert Austin, Kjell Engelbrekt, and Duncan M. Perry. "Albania's Greek Minority."
_____. 20 August 1993. RFE/RL Research Report. Vol. 2, No. 33. Robert Austin. "Albanian-Greek Relations: The Confrontation Continues."
Financial Times [London]. 8 September 1994. James Whittington and Kerin Hope. "Albania Jails Five Ethnic Greeks For Spying." (NEXIS)
Attachments
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 13 August 1994. "Committee Accuses Albania of Torturing Ethnic Greeks." (NEXIS)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). Research Institute. 18 March 1994. RFE/RL Research Report [Munich]. Vol. 3,
No. 11. Robert Austin, Kjell Engelbrekt, and Duncan M. Perry. "Albania's Greek Minority."
_____. 20 August 1993. RFE/RL Research Report. Vol. 2, No. 33. Robert Austin. "Albanian-Greek Relations: The Confrontation Continues."
Financial Times [London]. 8 September 1994. James Whittington and Kerin Hope. "Albania Jails Five Ethnic Greeks For Spying." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 18 August 1994. BC Cycle. Benet Koleka. "Albania Denies Torturing Ethnic Greeks." (NEXIS)
_____. 21 May 1994. BC Cycle. "Athens Protests Arrest of Ethnic
Greeks in Albania." (NEXIS)
_____. 20 April 1994. BC Cycle. Stephen Weeks. "Athens accuses Albania of Harassing Ethnic Greek Minority."
