The Macedonian Tendency: Freedom House On Macedonians in Greece

Monday, September 25, 2006

Freedom House On Macedonians in Greece

Freedom House is a pseudo-human rights group. It gives Greece a #1 for being fully free thereby removing any pressure on Greece to change any of its behaviour towards its ethnic minorities. The second paragraph is a joke, let me edit it properly:

"Despite government (stated) efforts, racial intolerance is still pervasive. (Maybe because) The government does not officially recognize the existence of any non-Muslim minority groups, particularly Slavophones (n-words). In addition, the government does not recognize Macedonian as a language, as officials fear the secessionist aspirations of this group (who are not free)".

If any country adopted the Greek position on minority rights ... well, you know the drill.

Greece

Greece tentatively considered a new name for the Republic of Macedonia-Republic of Makedonia-Skopje-proposed by a special UN envoy. Greece has waged a long campaign to deny its northern neighbor's use of the "Macedonia" name, which is also that of a northern Greek province.

Despite government efforts, racial intolerance is still pervasive in society and is often expressed by people in the media, in politics, and in the Orthodox Church. Ethnic and religious minority groups face a number of barriers. The government does not officially recognize the existence of any non-Muslim minority groups, particularly Slavophones. In addition, the government does not recognize Macedonian as a language, as officials fear the secessionist aspirations of this group. Using the term Turkos or Tourkikos ("Turk" and "Turkish," respectively) in the title of an association is illegal and may lead to persecution. Police officers have recently been provided with sensitivity training with respect to human rights and the prohibition of racial discrimination.

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