Simpkins: More rights, better treatment of Macedonians in Albania

– January 30, 2013Posted in: Albania

Adoption of European laws on the protection of minorities are seen by those that should be protected by them as being unenforced in Albania. The European Union should examine closely the treatment of the Macedonian and other minorities, particularly as we approach the Albanian general elections in June, says Australian MP Luke Simpkins in his letter to the EU Ambassador to Tirana, Ettore Sequi.

The letter follows Simkins’ January 13 visit to Pustec municipality, which has a large Macedonian national minority.

“You should be aware that non-ethnic Albanian municipalities receive a fraction of the central government financial support that ethnic Albanian municipalities receive. It would seem that assimilate or leave is the policy being adopted by the Government of Albania”, says Simpkins.

He also refers to the rise of the Red and Black Alliance nationalist party, whose followers have recently caused incidents in Pustec. According to him, the shift in political balance towards nationalism is likely to result in further pressure on minorities.

“In addition to the threats I have identified, the way in which the recent census was conducted casts great doubt on the validity of the data about minorities. I have been told that those of Macedonian origin amount to in excess of 100,000, although in most of Albania, Macedonians are not allowed to say who they are”, reads the letter. (Makedonium)