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OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting
2007, Warsaw
Working Session 9: Rule of law II
September 28, 2007
Statement on Protection of Human Rights in Greece,
Macedonian Human Rights Movement
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Agias Sofias 13 Aridea, Pellis Greece 58 400
Tel.: + 30 2384023-271 Fax: + 30 2384021-778
Dear Mr. Moderator, Ladies and Gentlemen,
We, the Macedonians of Greece strongly believe that the measure of every democratic and civilized country is the protection of human rights. The
Macedonians who after the partition of Macedonia in 1913 found themselves under the Greek state, cannot exercise their human rights as citizens of
Greece having its different Macedonian language, culture and tradition.
From the very beginning the Greek state did its best to violate international conventions protecting the minorities and human rights for non-Greek
populations of Greece. The situation worsened in the 30’s of the XX century when Ioannis Metaxas gained power and became dictator. Special laws and
treatment were imposed on Macedonians to ban the use of the Macedonian language. Beatings, fines and ill treatment and the economic pressure were
used on a daily basis. Then the time of “the black colonels” came where the Macedonians were striped the basic human rights. The ban to speak the
language, to gather and to sing Macedonian. Terror and fines were supposed to help in gaining the aim i.e. to have citizens who think and feel in
the Greek way.
In the 90’s of the XX century the protection of human rights did not look better. After 1991 when the Republic of Macedonia declared its independence
the Greek state tried to convince the whole world that the name of Macedonia and the Macedonian heritage was Greek. Once more the ethnic Macedonians
were stripped their basic human rights by its own state claiming they were Greeks? As an ethnic minority they were treated as traitors to the Greek
state because they showed their different national feelings. Even today people belonging to the Macedonian minority in Greece cannot freely express
their Macedonian feelings. If they do, they cannot receive governmental posts, they are labeled “Skopjans” and not Macedonians and have obstractions
in many other fields of life.
As an ethnic minority the Macedonians cannot learn their language in schools which is very important to protect and convey the language for the next
generations.
The Greek state demands from Albania and Turkey to protect the human rights of the Greek speaking population of these countries but is doing nothing
to protect the human rights of its own minorities such as Albanians, Turks, Vlahs and Macedonians.
Dear Mr. Moderator we think that no democratic country should be afraid of possessing the minorities on its territory because these minorities bring
diversity and enrich the culture of this country.
Thank you for your attention!
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