18 May 2005 AMHRC - Media Release AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER BACKS AWAY FROM STATEMENT MADE IN SUPPORT OF GREECE   During a recent visit to Greece, the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, made a statement in which he “reaffirmed the Australian government support for Greece” in relation to the Republic of Macedonia. Immediately following this, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) sent a letter to Mr Howard asking for a clarification. AMHRC media release [here>>] 18 May 2005 AMHRC - Media Release Greek authorities prohibit entry of an Australian citizen wanting to attend his father's funeral - On 7 May 2005, Mr George Mishalis, an Australian citizen travelling with an Australian passport, attempted to enter Greece in order to be present at the funeral of his father in his native village. AMHRC media release [here>>] 19 Oct 2004
MHRMC Reports on Macedonian Minorities at OSCE Conference 2004
	Greece vigorously denies the existence of any ethnic minorities on its territory and attempts to suppress any voices that advocate human rights. Simply raising the issue of the Macedonian minority in Greece causes Greek citizens and politicians alike to react in outrage. The majority of Greek society supports its government's non-recognition and discrimination of its large Macedonian minority. Following are several examples of Greece’s constant abuse of the Macedonian minority’s rights. [more>>] Source: www.mhrmc.ca

16 Oct 2004
Macedonian minority criticise Greece at OSCE conference
	Rainbow, the organization of the Macedonian Minority in Greece, have criticised Greece at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) conference taking place in Warsaw. Rainbow representatives presented reports about the situation of the Macedonian minorities in Greece, Bulgaria and in Albania. [more>>] Source: www.eurolang.net

04 Sep 2004
Vinozhito to visit Australia
	Some months ago, the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) announced that it had officially invited Vinozhito to send a representative to Australia for the purpose of promoting their cause, etc. [more>>]

16 June 2004
AMHRC's review of the ECRI report
	This brief review of ECRI's third report on Greece is by the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC). It includes commentary on the actual report and refutes the claims made by the Greek government in response to the ECRI report. To read the AMHRC's review click [here>>] To read the ECRI report, including the response of the Greek government click [here>>]

8 June 2004
ECRI report acknowledges Macedonian minority in Greece
	The European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) released its third report on Greece. Among many recommendations, "ECRI encourages the Greek authorities to take further steps toward the recognition of the freedom of association and expression of members of the Macedonian and Turkish communities living in Greece." The report also "...recommends that the Greek authorities closely examine the allegations of discrimination and intolerant acts against Macedonians, Turks and others, and, if appropriate, take measures to punish such acts. [more>>] To read the full report click [here>>] Source: www.coe.int/ecri

31 May 2004
Far-right group tries to bust up Rainbow (Vinozito) party meeting
	Greek police clashed Sunday with a group of 150 far-right militants who tried to force their way into a political meeting of a party representing the country's ethnic Macedonian minority. [more>>] Source: www.EUbusiness.com

Rainbow (Vinozito) becomes full member of Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN).

By courtesy of the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee

26 May 2004
Fundraising Function For Macedonian Language Studies
	Event - The Macedonian Studies Foundation has the great pleasure of inviting you to the 20th Anniversary and Fundraising function for the Macedonian Language Studies at Macquarie University. [more>>]

Greece Sentences Macedonian Priest to Three Month Prison Term

Letter from FUEN to Prime Minister of Greece

New books and website for Pollitecon Publications

MHRMC Condemns US State Department’s Continued Misrepresentation of the Macedonian Minority in Greece

The Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada (MHRMC) condemns the US State Department’s systematic policy of questioning the legitimacy of the Macedonian minority in Greece. Every year, the US State Dept. issues its “Country Reports on Human Rights Practices”, which perpetuates stereotypes against Macedonians rather than focusing on actual human rights abuses committed by Greece against Macedonians. [more>>]

AMHRC strongly condemns the discriminatory statement issued by the Secretariat of the Council of Europe

The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee strongly condemns a statement issued by the Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in which amongst other discriminatory references, Macedonian citizens are to be referred to as citizens of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” and the Macedonian language is to be referred to as "Macedonian (Slav)".

Original Statement from the Council of Europe: http://www.realitymacedonia.org.mk/web/news_page.asp?nid=3051

ECRI report recommends Bulgaria recognises the existence of its Macedonian minority

The Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance released its third report on Bulgaria. Amongst other suggestions, the report recommends that Bulgarian authorities recognise the existence of its Macedonian national minority and establish a dialogue with the representatives of the Macedonian minority.

To read the full report click [here>>]

Greek Helsinki Monitor: New Unacceptable Rejection of Macedonian Association's recognition

Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) condemns the following ruling by the Single-Member Court of First Instance of Florina rejecting the application for recognition of the Home of Macedonian Civilization. Included in this statement is the judgement from the court. [more>>]

Greek government bans Macedonian cultural centre

The Greek government has taken a decision not to recognise the formation of a local cultural centre. The Florina/Lerin Court officially rejected the application of the local organization ‘Home of Macedonian Culture’ (HMC) and refused its right to be legally recognized by the Greek state. [more>>]

BHC Alternative Report on Minorities in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC) published its second report on the implementation of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. The report critically evaluates the report submitted by the government of Bulgaria pursuant to article 25, paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. [more>>]

To read the Alternative Report of the BHC click [here>>]
To read the initial report of the Bulgarian government click [here>>]

Sceptical Macedonians welcome lifting of ban

Greece raises restrictions on exiled Australian-Macedonians

The revival of the extreme right and growth of fascist political currents have caused mounting concern across much of Europe. In this special Searchlight report, the Antinazi Initiative in Athens reveals that Greece has been no exception and examines the scandalous political protection and absolute immunity from prosecution that Greek nazis seemingly enjoy [more>>]

Report from visit to Greece

Bartlomiej Swiderek, from the European Free Alliance in the European Parliament recently visited Greece and produced the following report concerning the cancellation of Vinozhito-Rainbow Party's first congress [more>>]

Minority Rights Group International on the Cancellation

Minority Rights Group International (MRGI) expresses its concern over reports received from Greece that the Rainbow Party Congress has been cancelled due to threats received from far-right, racist elements [more>>]

Eurolang article on the Congress cancellation

"Rainbow Party Congress cancelled twice following threats from Greek far right." Article by Davyth Hicks [more>>]

Press release of Vinozhito following the postponement of the Party's Congress

On December 7, 2003, the Rainbow Party Congress was scheduled to be held in the city of Edessa/Voden, in view of the upcoming national and European elections 2004. However, the Congress is now postponed. Today's Press Release reveals the reasoning behind the postponement [more>>]

Vinozhito Party Congress postponed yet again

Exiles bring Greek guilt home

THEY were sent into exile and scattered to every corner of the world. For more than half a century the Macedonian Diaspora cast out of Greece during the country’s bloody civil war have been barred from returning to their homeland.[more>>]

Vinozhito/Rainbow to hold reception at the Greek/Macedonian Border

Race Against Racism in Greece

A bill introduced by the justice ministry aims to put an end to racial and other discrimination in both the public and private sectors.[more>>]

Open letter to the Prime Minister of Greece

Condemnation of Greece's Continued Blacklisting of Ethnic Macedonians

The Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada (MHRMC) condemns Greece's continued blacklisting of ethnic Macedonian human rights activists and political refugees. Despite Greece's recent pledge that Macedonian political refugees will finally be allowed to enter Greece this summer, after 55 years in exile and in time for their Third World Reunion, (see www.mhrmc.ca/press/03/detsa_begaltsi.html for background information) several instances of Macedonians being denied entry into Greece have occurred during the past week.[more>>]

Delegation visits Macedonians in Mala Prespa, Albania

Macedonian embassy opens in Australia

The Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia was finally opened today in Canberra. It comes more than a decade after the Republic of Macedonia declared its independence and more than seven years after Australia and Macedonia agreed to establish diplomatic relations.[more>>]

Greece announces dates for the return of Macedonian political refugees

Political refugees from the civil war in Greece (1946-1949) will be able to enter this country in period from 10 August 2003 until 30 October 2003 and they will be able to stay 20 days in order to visit their birthplaces.[more>>]

Vinozhito/Rainbow makes presentation on the Macedonian minority in Greece at FUEN conference

A delegation from the Vinozhito/Rainbow party attended the 48th FUEN Congress in Bolzano, Italy where its was invited to present the status of the Macedonian minority in Greece. Vinozhito/Rainbow, which is currently an associate member of FUEN, also initiated discussions toward full membership. A delegation from FUEN was invited to Greece to witness for themselves the circumstances of the Macedonian minority.

Macedonian refugees to be able to visit Greece

Spokesperson of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panajotis Beglitis, yesterday confirmed that official Athens is prepared forcomplete solving of the issue of justice of the political refugees andexpelled persons from period of the Civil war in Greece, half century ago. Most of these persons live in Macedonia and as first measure in their favor will be the possibility this summer to visit Greece freely, announced Beglitis. As "Utrinski Vesnik" writes, Beglitis announced that Chief of the Greek diplomacy, Jorgos Papandreu gave order for complete solving of the issue of the refugees upon the agreement with the opposition parties and the local authorities in north Greece. Beglitis was asked by the journalists whether this persons will be given the right to live in Greece and whether the possibility for returning their properties is viewed. According to Beglitis, "all that is one issue which competent services should view and solve". (Source: MILS News)

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Announces Free Return of Macedonian Political Refugees

In an historical announcement, the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister, Andreas Loverdos, has pledged that Macedonian political refugees will finally be allowed to enter Greece. Answering a question on the free visit of "non-ethnic Greek" political refugees he stated that "since we have overcome all these problems of the past and of the civil war... we want to overcome this vestige too sooner rather than later...during this summer." This announcement comes at an opportune time as the Third World Reunion of the Deca Begalci (Child Refugees) will take place July 15-20, 2003 in Greece. (Source: Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada)

Media Release of the AMHRC

Complaint of Racial Vilification by the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee Inc (AMHRC) against the Minister Assisting the Premier in Multicultural Affairs, Mr John Pandazopoulos lodged with the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission (VEOC) [more>>]

Minister in Australia under investigation for refering to Macedonians as "Skopians" [more>>]

(Macedonian text only)

SOURCE: Dnevnik Skopje, Macedonia. 15 May 2003 [here>>]

Minister in slur probe

John Pandazopoulos, the minister assisting Premier Steve Bracks in his multicultural affairs portfolio, is being investigated by the Equal Opportunity Commission over comments he made on SBS radio last year [more>>]

SOURCE: The Age, May 14 2003 By Richard Baker [here>>]

Racial hate claim aimed at minister

Assistant multicultural affairs minister John Pandazopoulos has been accused of breaching the racial hatred laws that he introduced in Parliament. Comments in which the Gaming Minister allegedly described Macedonians as "Skopians" have outraged the Macedonian community. [more>>]

SOURCE: HeraldSun , May 14, 2003 pg. 31 By Jeremy Kelly

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