The Macedonian Tendency: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Catherine Ashton asks Stavros Lambrinidis to Promote Greek Human Rights Values to all of EU!

by David Edenden
The minority rights policy of Greece is designed to wipe ethnic Macedonians off the face of the map. By definition, this policy is also the policy of the EU and Nato since Greece is a member , in good standing of both organisations. Greek values = EU/Nato values.
The EU/Nato response to the ICC ruling on the Macedonian Name Farce destabilizes Southeast Europe since minorities have no recourse for appeal against racist and sectarian assault in their country by the majority.
There's the rub! 

MHRMI - Press Release

AMHRC/MHRMI/Vinozhito Doubly Question The Appointment Of A 'Crusading' EU Special Representative For Human Rights


July 30, 2012

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AMHRC
The Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC), Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) and the European Free Alliance – Rainbow/Vinozhito, a political party of the Macedonian minority of Greece, questions the wisdom of a Special Representative for Human Rights to focus on non-EU states and is deeply concerned about the appointment of Stavros Lambrinidis to this post.

On 25 June 2012, the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, announced that former PASOK Foreign Minister of Greece, Stavros Lambrinidis will be the inaugural Special Representative.

The appointment of a Special Representative for Human Rights follows the EU’s adoption in June of the Strategic Framework and the Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy for the purpose of dealing with the EU’s external relations i.e. with third countries.

In principle, any initiative addressing the promotion of human rights and democracy should be welcomed. However the limited scope of this plan is disappointing. Regrettably, it appears that the Special Representative won’t possess a mandate to address human rights violations and concerns within EU Member States. This is a missed opportunity to strengthen human rights protection within the Union, especially in relation to persistent human rights violators such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary.

As Mark Dawson, Professor of Law at the Hertie School of Governance, has observed:

"These violations can only be tackled, however, if an EU envoy is given the necessary powers. Existing EU human rights bodies—such as the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights—have struggled to live up to expectations precisely because they have been given a highly limited mandate, able to provide “information” but not to critically and independently assess the conformity of national and EU institutions with human rights standards. The new special representative's ability to make a difference will depend on going further: this representative should not just be an external voice for human rights but should be given internal powers too, for example the ability to scrutinize legislation or even recommend legal measures against states who persistently act in violation of the EU Charter. To be a credible "external" actor, the EU must also be credible in terms of its own human rights commitments."

In the programmatic statement of the EU Framework for the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy, it is asserted that the EU will: “intensify the promotion of ratification and effective implementation of key international human rights treaties”. Yet it is the Greece of Mr. Lambrinidis, which is not a “third country”, but a foundation member of the ‘crusading’ EU, that has refused to ratify essential human rights instruments.

The appointment of Mr Lambrinidis to this post has tarnished the office of the Special Representative even before work has commenced. Mr Lambrinidis is a former Foreign Minister of Greece and diplomat in the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Under his leadership the Greek Foreign Ministry continued to vehemently deny the existence of Macedonian, Turkish, Vlach and other minorities within Greece. The treatment of these minority groups has been heavily criticised by the United Nations’ Independent Expert on Minority Issues, various bodies of the Council of Europe and by domestic and international human rights organisations.

Prior to becoming Foreign Minister, from 2004-2011 Mr Lambrinidis was a member of the European Parliament elected from the ranks of the PASOK party. He remained silent on the issue of minorities in Greece and in particular, in concert with fellow Greek MEPs, continued to deny the existence of Macedonian minorities in the Balkans.

Mr Lambrinidis’ profile and record demonstrate that he is unfit for the position of EU Special Representative of Human Rights, even if the position has an international (non-EU) focus. There are a number of very fine human rights advocates in Greece; however, Mr. Lambrinidis cannot be counted as one of them.


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Macedonian Human Rights Movement International (MHRMI) has been active on human and national rights issues for Macedonians and other oppressed peoples since 1986. For more information: www.mhrmi.org,twitter.com/mhrmifacebookinfo@mhrmi.org, 1-416-850-7125.

Established in 1984 the Australian Macedonian Human Rights Committee (AMHRC) is a non governmental organisation that advocates before governments, international institutions and broader communities about combating discrimination and promoting basic human rights. Our aspiration is to ensure that Macedonian communities and other excluded groups throughout the world are recognised, respected and afforded equitable treatment. For more information please visit www.macedonianhr.org.au, or contact AMHRC by email info@macedonianhr.org.au or via +61 3 93298960.


The European Free Alliance – Rainbow is the political party of the Macedonian minority in Greece. The party has offices in Florina/Lerin and Edessa/Voden. For more information please visit www.vinozito.gr, or by email: vinozito@otenet.gr or on +30 23850 46548.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Twitter Comments on Macedonian Name Farce in the Olympics


By David Edenden
Various twitter comments about the name of the Republic of Macedonia recognized as "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Most are confused and perplexed. Some good comments referencing "the artist formwrly know as Prince ... good fun!


Favorites 


Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia :| irgaaaa

thank you for calling the country "former republic of Yugoslavia", yeah, its called MACEDONIA 

 the name Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I don't know if it is the formal name for all purposes, or only for the Olympics.

 i tell dem just Alexander the Great and Macedonia, and its clear . if not i tell ; country next to bulgaria and greece :) no fyrom

 The Greeks were sensitive to a merger between Yugoslav Macedonia and the Greek providence of Macedonia. They insisted on

former yugoslav republic of macedonia (or WHATEVER) have got a well nice flag

  official recognized Olympic name "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" not kidding! 

Wordy sign for Macedonia. Can't they just be 'Macedonia'?

 I dunno, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia made a pretty kickass entrance.

Watching the  is like a history lesson. Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? Probably in Macedonia. Or Grenada.

Blimey! "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" ...that's a mouthful.  

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? ? Why not just Macedonia?

That one dude from Macedonia who was jamming out to "Stayin' Alive" made watching the parade of flags worth it!

Glad I recorded this, I don't really care what macedonia is wearing

My host for my recruiting trip at Wingate University was the flag bearer for Macedonia!!! 

 And sometimes it gets confusing because Macedonia is filed under Former Yugoslav. So it takes tiiiiime.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Problem?

Macedonia: 2.1 Million population 4 olympic athletes.

What about "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"...to much of a name! RT “: Im positive they made up at least 5"

Following “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” is “The Former British Colony of the United States of America.”

the carrier of the flag for Macedonia went to Wingate 

Macedonia only had 4 athletes for the olympics ! Better then none thooo.

 They use the official IOC name, and the IOC is weird. cf. "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."

Go ! Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia!!!!!

Macedonia is called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia... Why isn't Britain the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

Former yugoslav republic of Macedonia is what my friends call me
I am in proud support of my roots, Czech Republic and former Yugoslav Macedonia! Prejit. Bojovat. Vyhrat. 

 lol, it was after seeing the country calling itself the Former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia

MACEDONIA for its red flag with huge yellow sun!

 No, the Greeks are very unhappy about the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's claim to the name of Macedonia.

Being first generation American and my dad coming from  I have alot of Macedonian pride. Cant miss em with a name like that

 I saw the Former Yugoslavic Republic of Macedonia and thought FYROM!!! 

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia-they can't get that changed?

Least Sexy Country Name: Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia  

  Long story about politics, but it used to be called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia...found it on YouTube :)

 yea macedonia didn't even exist it use to be a big country called yugoslavia then it broke up, but it's still just Macedonia

When I saw Macedonia during the ceremony I immediately thought of Role Models

Macedonia wtf it was just Egypt I thought this was alphabetical... NOW IT'S FRANCE WTF 

  Olympic committee consideres them the "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"

? RT  Oh christ, tomorrow we are going to see a measure announced to call ourselves the former confederate state of Virginia

 idk they called it "The Former Yugoslave Republic of Macedonia" like that's the name...

 goodness knows. I gave up. Kinda like Macedonia is "former Yugoslavian republic of macedonia" or some bs. 

 &why are they calling Taiwan, Chinese Taipei? What's up w/ all this renaming of countries?Former Yugoslav Rep of Macedonia for 1

Why can't we recognize countries by their name instead of what they used to be? Macedonia not former Yugoslavia. C'mon IOC!

Shit! Lol - the article I found was wrong RT  They showed them under 'F' you missed Macedonia lady!

 They showed them under 'F' you missed Macedonia lady!

Forced to watch this til the near end cuz Greek politics have my country listed as former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia smh

RT : Macedonia needed way too many lines for their full title.//the only thing they're conquering this side of A.D. is a text box.

 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia- that ish was never in any of my textbooks.

LOLZ  RT  given greece's financial problems, can't macedonia just buy its name now?

That Macedonia competes as "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" sounds like terms of a buyout.

 given greece's financial problems, can't macedonia just buy its name now?”

So how come they didn't say former Yugoslavia for Slovenia just for Macedonia?

Cool that there is a Macedonia again, but putting them under "F" for "Former" doesn't seem quite right. 

I don't know if the "former yugoslavic republic known as macedonia" is a short enough name. Girl with the name on her head is gonna be sore.

RT : given greece's financial problems, can't macedonia just buy its name now?

given greece's financial problems, can't macedonia just buy its name now?

I want to see how they fit "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" on a basketball jersey. 

Just got to see my former teammate carry his nation's flag in the  So proud of Marko!

YAY  thank you  for not saying former yugoslav republic 

Why is Macedonia between Finland and France? I can't stand not having audio at this restaurant cc:  

Seriously, "former"? For Macedonia? Come on IOC

The Olympics are a Greek gift to the world. Greece's obsession with Macedonia's name is a gift I would like to return:


Greetings to the people of Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from the people of Former Dutch East Indies Republic of Indonesia.

Macedonia. The country of the great Pakistani king Alexander, who conquered all of India on a horse.

Poor Macedonia introduced as 'Former Yugoslav Republic of'. Like calling Britain 'Former Roman Province of Britannia'

: When will Macedonia drop "former" from it's official title? ” > when Greece let them!

I'm getting a history lesson on Macedonia. I think the US should be the Former British Colonies of the United States.

"former yugoslav republic of macedonia" should get a medal just for being saddled with that name

That's a tough national anthem. What rhymes with "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia."

What a strange name by which any nation to be known: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA: only country in world in which it rains backwards. Main export: indignation

Aaagh, why are we still calling them FYROM? Isn’t ‘Republic of Macedonia’ enough? 

The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia seriously needs to invest in a cooler name.

 There is a country called the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and it is listed under "F" in the alphabet.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Why haven't they just become Macedonia?

Would love to sneak some made-up countries into this: Brigadoon. Specsavers, Nanki Poo.

 Just think about  arrange games.  would go into . It will be a very ugly game :)

 there was a fair chunk of British history that was conveniently sidestepped...

Realize that most  countries can`t arrange games, because they can`t agree on the  :)