Albanian Helsinki Committee condemns hate speech appeals

To: MINELRES list submissions <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 12:33:29 -0800
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Subject: Albanian Helsinki Committee condemns hate speech appeals 

From: MINELRES moderator  <[email protected]>

Original sender: Panayote Elias Dimitras  <[email protected]>

Albanian Helsinki Committee condemns hate speech appeals


GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR
(Greek National Committee of the International Helsinki Federation)
& MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE
(Greek Affiliate of Minority Rights Group International)
P.O. Box 51393, GR-14510 Kifisia, Greece
Tel. 30-1-620.01.20; Fax: 30-1-807.57.67; E-mail: [email protected]
___________________________________________________________________

We distribute the following statement by the Albanian Helsinki Committee
received today 25 February 1998

ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE CONDEMNS APPEALS
AGAINST FRIENDLY COEXISTENCE WITH MINORITIES

The AHC has taken knowledge of some illegal doings likely to
instigate national hatred. In the southern town of Saranda, at the
end of past December, unknown persons have distributed leaflets
containing appeals to take rid of those called "Greeks and their
tools". In a typical hate speech towards all those who are of a
different ethnic origin, direct menaces are formulated saying that
"our revenge will not be late, it will be a mortal blow". It is not
at all by case that Saranda has been chosen for the distribution of
this kind of publication. It follows quite clearly that these
irresponsible appeals are directed against the minority population
there.

The AHC strongly condemns any manifestation of ethnic hatred. We
consider this as a ugly going contrary both to internal legislation
and to the commitment of the Albanian State to abide to the
international instruments in regard to the treatment of minorities.

It is our firm belief that these are isolated attempts by some
extremis groups, which by no means will be able to violate the
overall picture of the situation of minorities in this country.
Albania has got a very positive record as far as the regime of
minorities is concerned and this make all the more necessary to
condemn any attempt aiming at undermining our friendly coexistence
with minorities.

January 8, 1998

The Albanian Helsinki Committee

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