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August 25, 2004

By Risto Stefov
On August 5th, 2004 at 7:00 PM, an open forum was held at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Church. The forum was organized by the Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada (MHRMC) and featured guest speakers Nase Parisis and Pavle Voskopoulos from the Macedonian political party Vinozhito in Greece.

The forum, which was attended by over two hundred people, was to inform the Macedonian community in Toronto of Vinozhito's more recent activities and future plans.

The forum was opened by MHRMC president Bill Nicholov and an update regarding the activities of the Macedonian minorities in Pirin and Mala Prespa was given by MHRMC vice president Lubi Vidinovski. Among other things Lubi reported that, with financial assistance from the Macedonian community in Toronto, the St. Ilija monastery in Ginets, Golo Brdo was rebuilt in time for this year's August 2nd Ilinden celebration. The monastery was destroyed by the Albanian authorities about thirty seven years ago.

Again with financial assistance from the Macedonian community in Toronto, the Macedonian Orthodox cathedral in Mala Prespa is nearing completion and will be opening soon.

The four Macedonian organizations in Albania, Bratstvo, MIR, Prespa and MED have joined forces and have formed a political party which in future will serve the interests of the Macedonian people in the Albanian parliament.

The non-governmental, private census project which was undertaken by Macedonian activists in Albania a while ago is nearing completion. The census was commissioned in order to register all Macedonians living in Albania. Before the census was taken it was estimated that around 50,000 Macedonians were living in Albania. According to new statistics however, it appears that those numbers are closer to 260,000.

Lubi reported that following the example of the Macedonians in Albania, the Macedonians in Pirin also made attempts to form and register a Macedonian minority political party in Bulgaria but without success. It appears that the chauvinistic Bulgarian state has made every effort to block Macedonians from gaining any rights, be it political or cultural.

Lubi also reported that, with financial assistance from the Macedonian community in Toronto, this year's Jane Sandanski Day celebration at Rozhen monastery was a complete success.

During his opening statement to the forum, Pavle emphasized that Vinozhito and the Macedonian activists in Greece strive to work peacefully, without excesses, without causing problems and function within the framework of Greek, European and international law.

Regarding the latest news, Pavle informed the forum that the Strasburg court for human rights has undertaken Vinozhito's case to sue the Greek state for burning down their sign and for ransacking their office.

On September 8th, 1995, members of the ethnic Macedonian political party in Greece, the RAINBOW (Vinozhito) party, opened an office in the city of Lerin (Florina). The opening of the office was marked by the erection of a sign identifying the premises as the local office of the party. The sign was written in both Greek and Macedonian.

As reported in the 1996 ANNUAL REPORT of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF):

"On 14 September, 1995, the office of the Macedonian minority party RAINBOW in Lerin, North Western Greece, was set on fire and completely destroyed. On the previous day when the Greek-Macedonian agreement was signed, the police and a group of citizens led by the mayor pulled down RAINBOW'S sign from the office building. This was ordered by the local prosecutor. Anti-Macedonian graffiti was painted on many walls near the office, as well as on the nearby high school. These attacks were preceded by inflammatory public statements by officials in the media, by the local mainstream political party committees and by the Greek Orthodox clergy.

The district's public prosecutor raised no charges against the perpetrators of these violent actions, but instead prosecuted the RAINBOW leadership for incitement to disturb the peace by using the Macedonian language and the Macedonian name of the city [in addition to the Greek] on their sign. No one in the Greek government, in the political parties or the media condemned the events."

The Greek state alleged that displaying a sign which contained three words in the Macedonian language (derogatorily referred to by the District Prosecutor as a "Slavic idiom") was cause for inciting the population to violence. The only Macedonian words on the sign were: "Vinozhito" (RAINBOW) and "Lerinski Komitet" (Lerin Committee).

The district's public prosecutor summoned four members of the RAINBOW Party leadership to appear before the courts, on the 14th of October 1997, in Lerin.

Instead of charging the mayor, police, and others in the mob with violent acts, the Greek state laid charges against four members of the RAINBOW Party.

In light of these events it is important to note that Greek authorities refuse to recognize Macedonians as a distinct ethnicity and therefore a national minority in Greece. Furthermore, Greek authorities officially deny the existence of the Macedonian language even though it is recognized by the United Nations and the European Community both of which Greece is a member.

Greece is a signatory to numerous international conventions on the protection of minority and human rights. In addition, various statutes in the Greek Constitution proclaim the right to freedom of expression without fear of discrimination for all Greek citizens. However, when it comes to the rights of national minorities Greece wantonly disregards its international obligations and its constitutional statutes.

In 1999 Vinozhito counter-sued the Greek authorities for their part in the mistreatment of their executive members and for the damages caused to their property.

After five years of being avoided and ignored by the Greek courts, the lawsuit was finally elevated to the human rights court in Strasburg.

Now it's a matter of time before a court date is set and the Greek state will be brought before the human rights court to answer for its actions.

Regarding the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), among other things, Nase reported that for the first time in recent history there was an open discussion among European parliamentarians about a Macedonian language, a Macedonian identity and a Macedonian minority in Greece.

When ECRI came to Greece for the first time to collect information on minorities, it came to Vinozhito. Vinozhito members were invited to go to Athens to discuss minority issues and problems. According to Nase, "ECRI listened to us and documented every issue and problem we brought before them." After meeting with us ECRI approached the Greek government with our issues in hopes of reaching some sort of agreement or compromise.

Then after several months had passed, on July 4th, 2004, ECRI released their findings and took the position of Vinozhito that indeed there are major irregularities in Greece with regards to its minorities living on its soil.

Regarding the Vinozhito congress, Pavle reported that after having three successful conferences it was time to have a congress. The first congress was scheduled for November 2003 at Voden. Unfortunately there were negative reactions from Greek nationalists who demonstrated violently. The demonstrations created an atmosphere of fear and panic among the local authorities and businesses. Vinozhito had no choice but to postpone its congress to a later date.

One thing that came out of this experience, of the violent demonstrations, is that there is no tolerance for minorities in this so called "democratic state". Photographs of the demonstration were taken and sent to various human rights and political institutions throughout the world.

Before the congress was rescheduled for a third time, Pavle reported that Vinozhito sought the assistance of its European partners the European Free Alliance (EFA) and the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) to put pressure on Greece.

After being an associate member for over a year, Pavle reported that Vinozhito became a full member of FUEN in April 2004.

Backed by its European partners, Vinozhito decided to hold its congress on May 30th, 2004 in the heart of central Solun at the same place where, not long ago, the worst reactionary anti-Macedonian demonstrations took place.

In 1993 Greek nationalists and chauvinists took to the streets of Solun and violently protested against the formation of the Republic of Macedonia.

"We were determined" Pavle said "to have our congress and not let them push us out again."

True to their word, delegates from both EFA and FUEN arrived and attended the first Vinozhito congress. Among the attendees were the vice president of FUEN, a Catalonian parliamentarian from Spain and some true democratic Greeks who were sympathetic to the Macedonian cause.

The congress, consisting of over one hundred Vinozhito members and guests, was held inside a hotel in central Solun. The congress went without incident thanks mainly to the Greek police for keeping the violence outside.

A large crowd with signs, placards, sticks and stones had gathered outside the hotel and clashed violently with the riot police, throwing tables and chairs at them and burning Vinozhito logos on the street. The entire incident was captured on film and is available on VHS cassette from the Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada (MHRMC).

"It is ironic" Pavle said, "that the same Greek police that have been beating Macedonians for so long is now protecting Macedonians from the Greeks." It was a spectacle indeed. The reality however, according to Pavle, is that Europeans were present among the Vinozhito delegates and it would have been very embarrassing for the Greek state had the violence been allowed to spill over into the hotel.

The Vinozhito congress was a unique experience, something that had not taken place in Solun for at least one hundred years. For us to successfully hold a congress in Solun was a big blow to the nationalists. They were especially angry because the Europeans were helping us.

The Greek media unfortunately ignored the truth and reported on the congress as if it was organized by "Skopjians" and referred to Vinozhito as a "Skopjian Organization".

It is noteworthy to mention that Vinozhito and the Macedonian activists in Greece have come a long way in the last twenty years or so since their first appearance in 1982. It was in 1982 that, for the first time since the 1940s, Macedonian songs and dances began to be openly and publicly expressed. No one would have believed that ten years later the Macedonians would have been able to organize Vinozhito. Even after Vinozhito became a political party in Greece, no one would have believed that in the next ten years it would hold its first successful congress in Solun, the heartland of Greek chauvinism. This was only possible through the hard work and perseverance of Vinozhito's membership and with the assistance of Vinozhito's European partners.

Nase reported that just because the Greek authorities allowed us to hold a congress there are no guarantees that the Greek government would willingly change its minority policies for the better. The positive thing is that Greece is tied to the European Union and, if not willingly, then it will have to move forward by force. We know that for certain. Our strength lies with the European institutions and the enforcement of European law. Greece's anti-minority policies will slowly fall behind and in time the Greek state will abstain from its nationalistic tendencies and allow the democratization process to flourish.

Nase also reported that soon after the Solun congress, Vinozhito became involved in the European Union parliamentary elections. Unfortunately, even as a European party from Greece, Vinozhito was totally ignored by the Greek media. With absolutely no media coverage, the Vinozhito membership had to go door to door to market its platform. "We were left out without a voice." said Nase.

Communication through the media, especially through radio, television and newspapers is essential for success in today's world and if Greece is not going to help us in that regard then we have to help ourselves. We need to inform the Macedonian community and other minorities in Greece that Europe has laws that protect the rights of minorities but in order for us to do that, we need the media. If the Greek radio and television stations will not help us then we must find our own means. That is why we came to you, to the Macedonian community in greater Toronto to the Macedonian communities world wide, to ask for your help in assisting us to achieve our objectives. We would like to purchase our own radio station and for that we need the support of the wider Macedonian community.

Even more important is the need to have a cultural center. If we want to leave a footprint for our future generations, for the survival of our nation, language and culture then we need to build a cultural center as soon as possible.

The Greeks have cultural centers in Lerin, Voden, Negush, Kostur, etc. which they built with help from their communities and from the Greek government. Why can't we have one? We want one but the Greek state will not help us because they don't want us to have a cultural center. That is why we must build it ourselves. Again, we will need this community's support in order to do that.

Answering a question on the procedure of obtaining a building permit, Pavle stated that it is not difficult to build a cultural center. If a place can be found, one only needs to apply for a building permit with proper building plans and a simple statement of purpose. If all bi-laws are properly observed then there should be no problems. One only needs to say that the plans are for a cultural center and does not need to specify whether it is a Turkish, Greek or Macedonian cultural center.

Answering a question on what has been done to alleviate the difficulties that people encounter when entering Greece, Pavle stated that Vinozhito has given this issue highest priority when dealing with European and world institutions. This issue is always the first item on every agenda at every meeting that we have with European and world organizations. We have no insight as to what Greece is going to do but there are other ways to tackle this problem. If it is purely a matter of wanting to enter Greece, then you can enter without any difficulties from any European Union country. For example, take a flight to Milano and then enter Greece from Italy. No one is going to bother you if you enter Greece from Italy because Italy is a member of the European Union.

If it is a matter of principle and you want your rights as a Greek citizen re-instated then there are other ways of dealing with Greece. You and others in your position can organize a class action suit against the Greek state and demand that your Greek citizenship be reinstated. You can then enter Greece freely as a Greek citizen with full rights.

Each one of you is also a Canadian citizen and pays taxes in this country. Therefore you have the right to complain to the Canadian government about how you are being treated by foreign countries, including Greece. If enough people complain, the Canadian authorities will realize that there is a problem and will have to take you seriously and do something.

Bill Nicholov stated that Pavle, Nase and himself will be going to Ottawa tomorrow (Friday August 6th) to meet with people from the Foreign Affairs Department and discuss what Canada can and should do to apply pressure on Greece.

Bill stated that technically every country has the right to refuse entry to individuals but given the good bilateral relationship between western countries, Greece should be providing a reason why these people are denied entry. We will also be pressuring the Canadian government to do so. We will be providing the Canadian government with specific cases, press releases that we have issued over the last years regarding Canadian citizens who have been denied entry into Greece. We (MHRMC) will also issue a report afterwards, informing everyone of our outcome. For more information please visit the MHRMC website at http://www.mhrmc.ca/

Pavle will be traveling to Washington DC on Monday (August 9th) to meet with the US State Department. The State Department report, mentioned in the MHRMC newsletter refers to the Macedonians as Slavo-Macedonians which is a pro-Greek point of view. The State Department is looking forward to meeting with Pavle. MHRMC will keep you posted on that, stated Bill Nicholov, the MHRMC's president.

In answering a question as to why he has not yet visited Australia, Nase stated that he has not been invited. There were rumours earlier this year of a Vinozhito visit to Australia, but I believe said Pavle, that these rumours were started by some enthusiastic individuals who wanted us to go to Australia. We have had dealings with the human rights organization in Australia but as of yet we have not been invited to go there. Vinozhito welcomes the idea of a visit to Australia but it has to have a purpose and a well organized plan by the leaders of the Australian community. "We want to build a global Macedonian village" said Nase, "and the way to do it is through visits and meetings with the various Macedonian communities throughout the world."

In answering a question about opening Macedonian private schools in Greece, Pavle stated that it is not in Vinozhito's mandate to do that. Greece has signed a number of agreements regarding the rights of minorities. One of the agreements is to provide each minority with public education in the minority's mother tongue. We are citizens and taxpayers of Greece and Greece owes us at least that much. "I believe" said Pavle, "that it is a matter of time before Greece will have to recognize us as a Macedonian minority and with that recognition we will achieve our rights, including the right to public education in the Macedonian language." We want to be included in the state institutions and we want the Greek state to pay for our children's education in the Macedonian language. By granting us our rights, the state will also be responsible for us and defend us against discrimination and stigmatization. By opening private schools under the present conditions we will not only be stigma
tized but will also be isolated and ghettoized from the rest of society, and we don't want that. One does not need a Macedonian private school to learn Macedonian. If parents want to teach their children to read and write in Macedonian they will find a way. Pavle and Nase are a good example of that. Both of them speak, read and write perfect Macedonian without having gone to Macedonian private schools.

On the question of property rights and owning property in Greece, the forum was informed that people owning property in Greece have until 2010 to register it. Up until a few years ago Greece did not have a national property registry program. There is now an ongoing land registration program that allows landowners to register their properties. Macedonians who have passed their lands from generation to generation without deeds will now have to get deeds. To get a deed one needs to hire a real estate lawyer (lawyer who specializes in deeds) and find two witnesses who will validate their claim. Once the deed is obtained then the land must be registered in the national registry. Vinozhito will be more than happy to assist people with this process. Keep in mind that after 2010 all unregistered properties will become properties of the Greek state.

It is important to mention here that individuals living outside of Greece, who would like to register their properties, must have proof of citizenship. That is why it is very important to keep your Greek passport active.

Being a property owner in Greece also entitles you to certain privileges, including the right to vote. Vinozhito can use all the votes it can get.

For those living outside of Greece who own properties but have no plans to reclaim them, there are other options besides leaving their property to the Greek state. Vinozhito welcomes the idea of accepting your property as a gift. A foundation is in the process of being formed that will manage the building and maintenance of the Macedonian cultural center. There is no reason why the same foundation cannot accept properties as gifts. So, if you own property in Greece and live outside of Greece with no plans of ever returning, you can donate your property to the Macedonian Cultural Center Foundation instead of leaving it to the Greek state.

It is difficult to recruit new membership into the Vinozhito party especially since the Greek media has shut us out, said Pavle. That is why it is very important for us to establish our own media outlets like purchasing a radio station or starting a newspaper so that we can get the word out. It is difficult to attract membership especially since the situation in Greece is less than ideal and people who have children in school or work for others still have worries. When your country is not democratic, it is difficult to grow.

Vinozhito is fighting for the recognition of all minorities living in Greece. Our mandate, policies, goals and objectives are clearly stated and are open for everyone to see. People who are interested in becoming Vinozhito members or simply want to know more about us can contact us. You can find contact information on our Vinozhito website at http://www.florina.org/.

We also have an open policy regarding your donations. Our books are open to questions and public scrutiny. Anyone who has donated funds has the right to make financial inquiries.

As a final note, Vinozhito and MHRMC would like to thank Dragitsa Belchevska, Liljana Ristova and Lubi Uzunovski for their contribution in promoting this forum and St. Clement of Ohrid church for providing their facilities.

[Author's note] Vinozhito is locked in a David and Goliath struggle with Greece fighting for the rights of Macedonians and is doing it all alone. It receives no funding or praise from the Greek state and, more often than not, its members are persecuted for their heroic effort. It has never been easy to be Macedonian especially for our compatriots in Greece who, despite all odds, continue to fight, not just for themselves but for all Macedonians worldwide.