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QËNDRA E STUDIMEVE ETNIKE
CENTRE FOR ETHNIC STUDIES
___________________________
Tel/Fax: ++355 4 249945
E-mail: qsealb2000@yahoo.com
ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN ALBANIA AND THEIR PROBLEMS
INTRODUCTION:
For a relatively long period of time, the problem of ethnic communities
has been a taboo topic in its scope and elements. It has to be pointed
out, that the Albanian society is characterised by a multiethnic,
multireligious and problematic structure in intercommunitary
communication. Undoubtedly, there are particularities that constitute
positive values. Consequently, there are also assessed the attempts
on the part of the Albanian governments to accept European standards in
treating minorities in Albania, such as the ratification by the Parliament
of Framework Convention for the Protection of Minorities.
However, it is viewed of much
concern, the attempts to leave to ANONYMOUS handling the interrelated
problems of the minorities.
It is important to recall the
three major pillars of Albanian society in the years 1945 - 1990:
A -
Marxist - Leninist philosophy as a ruling
and leading practise.
B -
Expropriation, the fight against private
property and isolated economy.
C -
Establishment of a state with no distinctive, religious or ethnic beliefs.
To put it plainly, everything during these decades was oriented against
property, political and religious beliefs and ethnic belongings.
Eventhough, ten years hour
elapsed since the disruption of such a system, ideological reminiscences
and totalitarian practices are still in existence. Therefore, it is
presumed that concrete help should be given to the Albanian society, both
to majority and minorities, to finalise attempts for real integration into
Albanian democratic processes and enhancing possibilities for an
effective, interethnic education and cultivation of tolerance and mutual
understanding.
Many a time, the minorities view
themselves as “attacked” or “custodies” to state policies with the
neighbours. They are not directly represented in the Albanian Parliament
and remain unprotected for lack of sub - legal acts and Albanian
legislation.
The Centre for Ethnic Studies,
aims at orienting its work towards evidencing minority problems, studies
and recommendations for real solutions in educating tolerance and
interethnic understanding in Albania, by means of concrete activities.
The material we present you, is a
summary of assumptions drawn by the analysis of the QUESTIONNAIRE, that
the Centre for Ethnic Studies realised with all associations of ethnic
communities in Albania, from 29th of April up to 20th may, 2002.
In essence, there are 33
questions, which grouped together into 7 headings contain almost the whole
sphere of problems and interests of ethnic communities in the Republic of
Albania.
I –
Ethnic Communities in Albania:
The problem of categorising or status of ethnic communities according to
European standards is a significant issue and theme over which there are
many discussions and prejudices.
Social-historical developments,
as well as the process of state - establishment in the last 100 years in
various ways has brought forth interesting experiences in international
practise.
The problem of ethnic communities
became particularly evident after the 90ies, when the European continent
was facing the fury for democracy and freedom. For this reason, in the
framework of no less than 5- 6 years, the European community came together
several times to decide at various stages, on the basic standards of
European states upon human rights and ethnic communities.
So, the European community,
assessed and equally recognised the rights provided by the Chart(er)
of United Nations for a series of communitarian categories, such as
Minorities, ethno-linguistic communities, ethno-cultural communities and
religious communities. In relation to this, the associations of ethnic
communities offer these responses:
The
association of Egyptian community assess themselves as follows:
Ethno - cultural community with a population of around 250 000
inhabitants, not being wholly convinced on the accuracy of the figure
declared. For this reason, they are expecting for a population
registration and evidencing their ethnic community.
They seek the official
acknowledgement of their ethnic community by the Albanian society and are
pretty confident on the values and motifs uniting the ethnic Egyptian
community in Albania.
In their ethnic community, there
are active more than one association and they are not as such convinced
whether this is good or negative.
They are financed by the internal
sources of the community, and would have wished to be financed in their
activities by the Albanian state budget.
They are not pleased by
representation of their ethnic community in the Albanian electronic and
written media and would have liked their access into Albanian public
media.
They assess a bad educational
status within their ethnic community and view the improvement of
educational perspective into the public education combined with private
and summer courses.
The economic status of Egyptian
community is really bad, with a low level of migration by members of this
community.
They are unsatisfied by the level
of representation into the Albanian Administration, in Albanian Parliament
and their relations to the political factors in the country.
They assess, that the electoral
law and Constitution of the Republic of
Albania
have to be changed.
They are not satisfied from
co-operation either with the foundations or international organisations at
home and abroad.
Associations of Rom Community offer these definitions:
They assess themselves as a Minority with a population ranging from 120
000 to 150 000, uncertain about the accuracy of this figure declared. For
this, they ask for registration of the population evidencing their ethnic
community.
They require the official
recognition of their ethnic community by the Albanian society, eventhough,
part of them declare to be officially acknowledged; meanwhile, they are
convinced on the values and motifs binding the ethnic Rom Community in
Albania.
There are more than one
association in their ethnic community and they are not as yet convinced
whether that is a good or negative thing.
They are financed by the
International Community Sources and would have like to be financed by the
budget of the Albanian state for their activities.
They are not satisfied from the
representation of their ethnic community into the Albanian, electronic and
written media and would have wished to have access into the Albanian
public media.
They are not taught into their
native language and assess a "very bad status of education" within their
ethnic community. They view the progress and educational perspective with
public education combined with private and summer courses.
The economic state of Rom
Community is very bad, and with a low level of migration and emigration by
the community members.
They are unsatisfied form the
representation - level into the Albanian Administration, Albanian
Parliament and into the relations with the political factors of the
country.
They assess as "good" the
Electoral Law and Constitution of the Republic of
Albania.
The
Association of Vlach Community assess this survey as follows:
They are not as yet, convinced whether they are an ethno-cultural
community or Minority and this in fact, constitutes a problem in its own,
so long as the Vlach Community has its own native language. Their
population amounts to about 250 000 inhabitants, but they are not
convinced on the figures being provided. For this reason, they require the
population - census evidencing their ethnic community. They seek the
official acknowledgement of their ethnic community by the Albanian society
and are convinced in the values and motifs binding the ethnic Vlach
Community in Albania. There is more than one association in their ethnic
community and they are convinced about it to be a negative thing.
They are financed by the internal
community sources and would wish to be financed by the Albanian state
budget.
They are not satisfied from the
representation of their ethnic community in the electronic and written
Albanian media and would like to have their access into public Albanian
media.
They are not taught into their
own native language, but assess their "good educational status" within
their ethnic community and view their future and educational perspective
into the public education combined with private and summer courses.
The economic status of Vlach
Community ranges “from good to pretty good” with a high level of
education of community members.
They are unsatisfied from
representation level into State Administration and Albanian Parliament; in
the meantime, assess, in a contradictory way, the relations with country ´
s political factors.
They assess as “good” the
Electrical Law and the Constitution of the Republic of
Albania.
They are contradictory in the
assessment of the co-operation with the Foundations as well as the
International Organisations at home and abroad.
The
Associations of Macedonian Community present these opinions:
They assess themselves as a Minority with a population varying from 120
000 to 150 000 inhabitants, though not so much convinced on the accuracy
of the figure given. And presumably, they ask for a population - census,
evidencing their ethnic community.
They require for the official
recognition of their ethnic community by the Albanian society, even though
part of them declare to be officially recognised, similarly, they are
fairly convinced on the values and motifs holding together the ethnic
Macedonian community in Albania.
There is more than one
association, operating into their ethnic community and they are quite
convinced that this is a positive fact.
They are financed by internal
community sources and would like to be financed by the Albanian state
budget into their activities.
They are not so much satisfied
from representation of their ethnic community into Albanian electronic and
written media and would also wish to have their access into Albanian
public media.
They are partially educated into
their own native language and assess as “very bad" their educational
status within their ethnic community.
They see the progress and
perspective into public education combined with private and summer
courses.
The economic status is “ from
medium to low” with a high level of migration and emigration of the
community members.
They are not satisfied from
representation level into Albanian Administration, Albanian Parliament or
relations to home political factors.
Moreover, they assess, it has to
be changed the Electoral Law and Constitution of Republic of Albania.
They are not satisfied from co -
operation with foundations as well as foreign organisations at home and
abroad by assessing such relations from “bad up to average”.
Association of Greek Community gives the assessments as follows:
They assess themselves as a Minority, but not declaring their population -
figure, by not being precisely convinced over it.
They are financed by internal
community sources and would like to be financed by the Albanian state
budget into their activities.
They are not satisfied from
representation of their ethnic community into the Albanian electronic and
written media and would also wish to have their access into the Albanian
public media.
They assess as “medium” the
educational status within their ethnic community and consider the future
and educational perspective into public education combined with private
and summer courses.
The economic status of Greek
Community is “on the average, good” with a medium level of emigration of
the community members and low level of migration.
They are not satisfied from the
representation level into Albanian Administration, but similarly, assess
their representation into the Albanian Parliament.
They assess as “good” the
Albanian Constitution, but are seeking changes into the Albanian Electoral
Law.
They assess as “good” the
cooperation with foundations as well as international organisations at
home and abroad.
The
Association “Moraca - Rozafa” of ethnic Serbian and Montenegro Minority
gives the assessments as follows:
They assess themselves as a Minority, with a population of about 40 000
inhabitants, approximately convinced on the accuracy of the figure given.
For this, they require the registration of the population and evidencing
their ethnic community. Moreover, they ask for the official recognition of
their ethnic community by the Albanian society.
There is only one association
within their ethnic community and they are convinced on the motifs of
their ethnic organisation.
They are financed by the internal
community sources and would like to be financed by the budget of the
Albanian state into their activities.
They are not satisfied from the
representation of their ethnic community into the Albanian electronic and
written media and wish to have their access into the Albanian public
media.
They are not taught into their
native language and assess as "really bad" the educational status within
their ethnic community. They view the improvement and educational
prospective within the public education.
The economic status of Serbian
and Montenegro Community is "good" on the average, with a medium level of
migration and emigration of the community members.
They are not satisfied from the
representation - level into the Albanian Administration and Albanian
Parliament and assess as "good” the relations to home political factors.
They assume that it has to be
changed the Electoral Law and the Constitution of the
Republic of Albania.
They are not satisfied from the
co-operation with the foundations, but they assess as 'good" the
co-operation with international organisations at home and abroad.
II -
Ethnic Communities and the Media
Like children are the mirrors of their parents, so does the media reflect
the society. It is rather striking, but it is true, that all the ethnic
communities represented from associations give the same response: We are
"little, if not at all represented" or present in the Albanian media.
In the meantime, all the
associations admit that they would have wished the access to the mediatic
space, be it written or electronic.
If comments should be added upon
these two facts, the first to be stated should be, that the Albanian
society is not free from the reminiscences of the past. How could it be
possible in a multiethnic society, to preserve the monopoly of information
and exclude minorities from their naturally legal rights of having access
to publish media such as a public TV? Or maybe, the minority taxpayer does
not enjoy the right of information into his own native language by public
media that is financed through his/her own money?
Much harder seems the situation
with written publications. From the questionnaire, we learn that 10
associations of ethnic communities publish about 11 papers, where most of
them are non-periodicals and not financially supported.
It is up to the honour of the
Albanian society to support the attempts of ethnic communities to have the
community press and media into their native language.
It is to the honour of the
Albanian governments to offer to our ethnic communities, opportunities for
legal financing in setting up the community mediatic establishments.
III
- Ethnic Communities and Education
Even with this item, there are interesting responses. Almost all the
associations share the opinion that ethnic communities are taught "little
or nothing" into their own native language; With the exemption of "Omonia"
and "Prespa" which historically inherited teaching and education into
their own native Greek and Macedonian languages.
Likewise, the associations assess
the "educational status” of their ethnic communities from "medium to very
bad". We have to evidence here as "bad and very bad" the educational
situation for the Egyptian and Rom Communities. The years of transition
gave a deadly blow to the educational situation within the population of
ethnic communities in Albania.
It is a duty for their ethnic
community - associations not only to sensibly but also to take up the
educational problems within the communities.
The future for solutions of
educational problems, is seen mainly by community associations at public
schools, by implying state and society commitment into drawing out legal
and sub-legal acts adjusting the discipline for solving educational
problems within ethnic communities in Albania.
It is also present with the
responses the option of summer courses, underlining by this the transition
in the area of education up to the final solution of the problem.
Only from two responses, have
been considered the opportunities for opening private schools in ethnic
communities. Certainly, this might be a possibility, but however, costly
to be undertaken.
IV -
Ethnic Communities and Economics problems
In this heading through three questions, economic situation, emigration
and migration has been generalised the situation and the economic problems
of ethnic communities in Albania.
The associations of Greek and
Vlach Communities have responded to be under or / from "medium to good"
economic situation. Other association account from "a bad to a really
bad” economic situation. It seems likely, in addition to heritage, a
special effect is observed on this problem by the degree of emigration, as
there is a full compliance in between the difficult economic situation and
the highly low level of emigration and this is so marked within the
Egyptian and Rom Communities.
It is not something new to admit
that the Albanian economic situation depends almost on the level of
revenues cashed in from emigration. What has to be pointed out, it is the
gravely economic situation in the community settlements, in particular.
The government and administrative
structures have to be enhanced to provide development strategies for the
community areas, which generally are left to abandonment and prejudices.
V -
Ethnic Communities and Political - Administrative Structures
Hereabout, there are three questions posed, representation into the state
administration, (Municipality and high up), cooperation with
administration and relations to political parties.
All the associations responded in
a unanimous way to the first question, as "not being represented into the
state administration".
Certainly enough, all the items
with this one included, show that with this concept of Albanian society on
ethnic communities, you might not be expecting appeasing responses. Only
two associations responded positively by admitting co-operation with
political parties. This is "little”, if not to state "too little". On the
other hand, it is much clear that the minority associations lay no trust
on the Albanian political factors for settling their problems. All the
associations, without exception consider it as necessary a new structure,
- "community - based" and into permanent contacts (regulated by law) with
the Albanian Administration.
VI -
Ethnic Communities and Legislative Structures
There is a series of questions, about 6, which still reaffirm the
contoured lines in the previous headings.
Hence, almost all the associations
unhesitatingly accept as not "feeling themselves represented" into the
Albanian Parliament.
It is one of the most tragical
confirmations, as it is meant about 30% of the population that acknowledge
no contacts with the Legislation.
This is supported by the negative
response to the question whether they are satisfied from Parliamentary
Elections of Summer 2001.
The solution is found for all the
associations within the same confirmation, that they require direct
representation of their ethnic communities into the Albanian Parliament.
They assess the Electoral Law
from "average to bad".
The concept seems pretty clear;
the representation has to be improved by considering the interests of
ethnic communities in Albania. And owing to this, should be established
contacts and really frank co-operation with representatives of ethnic
communities, a fact that is assessed from representatives of communities
as a "bad up to average" cooperation.
Certainly, after these
observations and assessments, comes the evaluation of the constitution of
Albania with very low marks, ranging from "bad to average and good". In
reality this is an interesting question, because with the fundamental law
there are several articles, from article 16 up to article 20 where the
problem of ethnic minorities is treated, but in the long run, there are
wholly lacking the sublegal acts guaranteeing implementation of the
Constitution. Furthermore, though with the New Constitution enforced, we
still operate with laws deriving from Constitutional Package, which are
frequently in contradiction to the new realities.
VII
- Ethnic Communities and Co-operation
Here, we have tried to present a panorama of ethnic communities and on how
they judge co-operation among themselves with foundations or international
organisations.
Most likely, the solidarity
sentiment has urged all the associations to give a comfortable reply
varying from "average to good" concerning the co-operation between one
Minority - association and another.
It is not the same thing with the
question regarding the co-operation association - foundation. Almost all
have responded negatively, excluding the Greek Community and probably the
Vlach Community.
When carefully observed this
shows once more the confirmation that the problem of the ethnic
communities is left to anonymous treatment, moreover there are devilish
and sophisticated hints or actions aiming at the avoidance of contacts and
co-operation with non- governmental factors, such as the foundations.
Plainly speaking, the Albanian
government is still at the emergency - phase in relation to problems and
attempts for civilisation, progress and social emancipation. It is an
already - famous and, well - known postulate that the level of a
democratic society is proportional to the rights of the ethnic communities
in that society.
It is a contradictory - response
towards the last question, as regarded the level of co-operation among
Minority Associations and international organisations from "bad, average
to good". Moreover, it seems to be expressed an aspiration or desire,
rather than a reality.
It is quite true, that from the
moment the Albanian government ratified the Framework Convention for
Minorities Protection, Albania has been under a monitoring process, which
has been expressly observed in the seminars of Council of Europe.
The presence of associations from
ethnic communities in these activities is not only significant but also an
imperative undertaking as well.
It is significant to state that
it is needed a monitoring system of problems and ethnic realities in
Albania. And it is only we to have it set up, because we are the
interested parties and this is our material baseline.
C O
N C L U S I O N S!
In total, from analysis of replies in the questionnaire we conclude the
following assumptions:
a) In Albania, along with
the accepted Greek and Macedonian Minorities, we have the Rom and Serbian
- Montenegro Minorities. Likewise, we have the ethno - cultural Egyptians
in Albania; in the meantime, within the Vlach Community, there are still
discussions on their ethnic status (ethno-cultural community or
minority!).
b)
The number of population of ethnic communities in Albania, without the
statements of figures by Representatives from Greek community, ranges
from780 000 - 840 000 inhabitants. By considering it in a reserved way,
with such figures expressed and the population of Greek community, we
might finally admit the multiethnic character of Albanian society.
c)
All the ethnic communities unanimously
admit the official recognition of their presence and identity in the
Republic of Albania.
They are well - organised into associations and organisations and have
solid motifs for their identity such as language, culture, colour or
location.
d)
The Ethnic communities in Albania
consider themselves as being represented "little or nothing" into the
electronic and written media. They ask for access and space into the
public media, meanwhile, their press is weak and without institutional
support.
e)
Education into the native language within
the ethnic communities constitutes a problem over which all the community
representatives respond negatively. Native education is lacking within the
Rom, Vlach and Serbian - Montenegro communities. The Greek and Macedonian
communities are partially or not at all satisfied with the level and
status of education in their native tongues. Similarly, the educational
status within the ethnic communities is assessed generally from "bad to
average level".
f)
From "bad to average level" is assessed
the economic situation within the ethnic communities in the Republic of
Albania
having medium and high levels of emigration.
g)
Ethnic Communities are not satisfied from
the representation - level into the Administration and Albanian
Legislative as well as from last Parliamentary Elections. They assess as
"bad up to average satisfactory” the Electoral Law and are unsatisfied
from the level of co-operation, institutions - ethnic communities, and are
for amendments to this law.
h)
All the representatives from the ethnic
communities in the Republic of
Albania require to be directly
represented into the Albanian Parliament through the total number of
electoral proportional system.
i)
Ethnic Communities in the Republic of
Albania
assess the discussion on the Constitution of the Republic with regard to
further amendments.
k)
Representatives from ethnic communities
in the Republic
of Albania ask for the establishment and functioning of an Entity on
Minorities attached to Albanian Government.
l)
The Financing for ethnic communities in the
Republic
of Albania is mainly based upon the internal sources of these communities.
All the representatives unanimously require the financing of all
activities within ethnic communities to be undertaken by the Albanian
State.
m)
Ethnic Communities are from "average to
satisfactorily good" pleased with the level of co-operation among them, in
the meantime, they assess from "average to bad" the co-operation with the
foundations and from "good to average" the co-operation with the
international organisations.
In
Conclusion!
The rapport presented on the basis of a questionnaire to which the ethnic
communities responded upon realistic grounds, shows that how "big and
problematic” is the issue of the ethnic communities in Albania.
I assume, that such a presentation
contradicts the report by the Albanian Government addressed to the Council
of Europe on the situation and rights of Minorities in Albania.
It is significant to stare the
reality as it is, and we are not disturbed by the countersayings of the
opponents to Stability Association of Albania within the European
Community, but we are rather thrilled at the silence of those
asking for progress and Europeanisation of the country into Euroatlantic
Structures.
President
Dr. Kimet FETAHU
Tirana
on 09 June 2002
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