Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Albanians in Montenegro Protest Against Ethnic Discrimination


TUZ, MALËSIA E MADHE │ 28 December 2011

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CITIZENS OF MALËSIA, AND DEAR STUDENTS – WE ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY TO PEACEFULLY PROTEST THE INJUSTICES DONE TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE CITIZENS OF THESE TERRITORIES. Recent developments in Montenegro have forced us to come out and protest since all other avenues of democratic and legal efforts have failed to achieve basic human rights, such as the right to local self-government, the right to submit national symbols, the right to employment, equal access to textbooks in the mother tongue, the denial of the right to equal opportunity, not allowing the full exploitation of various resources in the region of Malësia, and confiscation of property. We shall not fear to demand the rights that are afforded to each and every one of us, therefore I am grateful that you all have come out to show your resolve and stand up to demand the birthrights for which this country has an obligation to provide us.



For the past 20 years, by way of the Parliament of Montenegro, Albanian deputies have continuously brought forth and legislated for the realization of Albanian rights in Montenegro, however these pleas have been ignored by the central powers of the state. As a symbol of this protest, the Democratic Forum for Integration (DFI) vehemently demands the resignation of all Albanian deputies of the Parliament of Montenegro until the realization of our basic human rights as protected by the Constitution of Montenegro, as well as by international conventions.

We are not demanding anything that is illegal; instead we are seeking fundamental human rights that are guarantees of any democratic state. Refusal to respect such assurances demonstrates the exercise of a tyrannical state.

We will not allow Albanians in Montenegro to be used as slaves!

The “Urban Municipality of Tuzi” is living proof of the ignorance, ingratitude, abuse, and humiliation perpetuated by the ruling party's policies against the Albanians in this region.



The Demographic changes that have occurred in our territories over the past decade is a plan designed by the state and its secret cabinet meetings in efforts to assimilate Malësia and the Albanians in Montenegro. They forgot however, that our votes gave birth to this state. This country is a compilation of all the citizens of Montenegro, whether Montenegrin, Serbian, Albanian, Croatian, Bosnian, Roma, etc., and in no way unique state Montenegrin nationality, without addressing the historical aspect.

The Law of November 2nd of this year concerning the territorial organization of the state of Montenegro foresees Malësia without Municipality status. This law was adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro and clearly shows hatred toward Albanians in Montenegro, which in no way can be justified.

The bill prohibits the use of national symbols and strictly prohibits the legal use of the Albanian flag! I want Montenegrin lawmakers to answer one question: “In what other European country do minorities not have the right to identify themselves using their national symbols?” The flag is a sacred symbol of a nation. People who do not have the right to preserve their identity are threatened to become extinct without a trace of history.

The pillaging of Albanian lands by Montenegrins began 100 years ago and continues today. However, in the last decade the element of assimilation, orchestrated by Montenegrin secret agents, has angered Albanians and has led them to publically declare the following: “We will defend the land and our rights by any means possible.” Their statement illustrates the gravity of the situation, which is more serious than ever before. European lawyers understand the importance of property inheritances and rights, and have given special credence to such issues. They have also declared property to be a sacred and inviolable right as it is stated in Article 1 of Protocol 1 of ECHR (KEDNJ).

I would like to mention some events surrounding 2006, without mentioning the promises that were made before and after that year. In 2006, Malësia was promised full municipality by the administrative capital, Podgorica. The Albanian political parties, united in one single coalition force, were supported by the majority of residents of Malësia and thus gained local power. They pledged that they would not settle for an urban municipality, but instead would continue to fight for full and deserved “Municipality of Malësia.” Nonetheless, Montenegro has refused to grant Malësia full municipal status, whereafter no local Albanian politicians resigned to protest this bigotry and demonstrate loyalty to the constituents that elected them. And at the end, the Montenegrin authorities gave us “Eagle’s Flight.”

A few years ago, local Albanian politicians projected a political referendum by which the local government wanted to achieve a full municipality status for Malësia. Unfortunately, certain individuals abolished this initiative. Today, the current local government of Tuz insists that a referendum needs to be held for the municipality. But today, we must say NO to such a referendum because Malësia has suffered a demographic shift in its population. This is our first justification. If you legally analyze this situation, a referendum is a constitutional right and international law which is used for certain purposes such as the separation of the union or states, the adoption of particular laws and international agreements, but in no way can a referendum be used to resolves the fate of national minorities. In particular, it cannot be used to resolve the fate of the autochthonous Albanian population in Montenegro.

The FDI does not support the referendum in any way or form. The FDI rejects any call for a referendum for a Municipality of Tuz because we are aware of the danger and uncertainty it brings to our region and to our citizens.

No municipality in Montenegro was ever established by a referendum. And so the question arises: “Why should the residents of Malësia participate in a referendum for local government?!” Holding a referendum for Malësia is absolutely intolerable and it should be universally abolished! Holding a referendum for the Municipality of Malësia is in complete contradiction to international law. In 2006, the majority of citizens declared its desire for a full Malësia Municipality!

Because of these aforementioned injustices, which are being carried out by the Capital City, the ill-suited “urban municipalities” do not have created the competency to develop and sustain economic resources, social welfare, and/or social security; wherefore, the DFI strongly demands the following:

- The resignation of all consultants and employees of the “Tuzi Urban Municipality”, that only a full and self-sufficient Municipality be supported and nothing else;

- A call for early elections, where citizens can decide their own fate and in no way to impose policies aimed at eradicating Malësia, such that Malësia will only remain in the pages of history!

- The immediate dissolution of the “Urban Municipality of Tuzi” and the instantaneous formation of the MUNICIPALITY OF MALËSIA;

- The return of property to the citizens of Malësia, including, but not limited to: “Vuksanlekaj”, “Milesh”, “Shipshanik”, and “Dheun e Zi”;

- Petitioning the Constitutional Court to review the autocratic laws passed under the Law on Territorial Organization and the more recent law on national symbols. Given the complexity of these laws, Montenegro cannot postulate to be that democratic state seeking integration with the EU because, if adopted, these laws are nothing short of chauvinist and intended solely to ethnically cleanse (in a non-violent way) national minorities and, particularly, native Albanians.

These problems are not unique to regions primarily inhabited by Albanians, but also found in the districts of Ulcinj, Plav and Gucia, Bar, Rozaje, etc. In Ulcinj issues surrounding property rights and ownership, particularly are concerning the return of the Valdanos lands and marine goods. The remaining districts are so stagnant in their development that they are almost completely assimilated.

We want to help this country, but in order to do so we seek to be equal partners in its democratic transition and not mere servants! Montenegro will be integrated into the EU only when it is prepared to respect the rights all citizens of Montenegro, including the indigenous Albanian population. The integration of Montenegro into the EU means respecting human life and the significance of Chapter XXIV, which is a prerequisite for integration into the EU as it relates to the representation of minorities in public life and observation of state laws on discrimination – such as Montenegro’s outrages law banning the Albanian flag.

We thoroughly understand the EU requirements; therefore we raise our voices to remind Montenegro that their current path towards EU integration is not acceptable.

From this stage today, I appeal to Europe and the United States, declaring that we are citizens of the same world, we are together in this, and we need your assistance to resolve this issue, so we can share with you the benefits of a civilized society. We have reasonable aspirations to guide ourselves towards the right path and remove the obstacles of injustice, which oppresses us, diminishes our existence, and stops any progress that would make us equal. This is the belief of the Albanian youth.

― Anton Lulgjuraj

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Powerful speech!

Mirmengjes Malesia said...

Very impressive. I am confident that under the leadership of Anton Lulgjuraj and Angjell Gojcaj Malesia has a promising future.

Anonymous said...

Ata malesor qe kundershtojne Anton Lulgjuraj e Angjell Gojcaj jane njerze qe sote kane pozita te mira me rroga te majme, por i frigohen te nesermes se munde t'i humbin ato. Po si mos t'i humbin, Ferhat Dinosha e Nikolle Gegaj qe meritojne edhe denim me burg per demin qe i kane shkaktue popullit te vete. Kurse Nikolle Camaj, Vasel Sinishtaj e Gjergj Camaj duhet te largohen nga politika dhe te merren me pune tjera sepse kane deshtue edhe ata tue i ruajt interesat e veta. Ka ardhe koha te provohen te tjeret. Mos punoshin drejte edhe keta do te perjashtohen. Populli ashte ngi me karierista.

Hoti said...

Vetem 100 vet. Barre per Malesore.

E kush me fol, Vaseli? Kuku Malesia si i ka ardh koha.

Anonymous said...

Tani, chka behet neser?

Anonymous said...

What now? War?

Bronx Boy said...

Funny, I didn't know Vaseli Camaj was a founder of FDI (Vijesti). I thought this was a youth movement founded by students. It seems as though students were used as a cover-up for someone else's agenda.

So much for my high hopes.

Anonymous said...

can we get a report on how the protest went? how many showed up? who spoke? any media coverage? next steps? thanks.

Trieshjan said...

It went smoothly, as planned. People came out with flags and signs reading, "Don't Touch our Flag!"

Our pathetic Albanian politicians were there (except Vasel Sinishtaj because he escaped to NY as an alibi not to attend) and of course the pro-Slavs: Dinosha and Gegaj were not present either (they were in Cetinj celebrating Milo's birthday). Nikolle Camaj, Gjergj Camaj and others stood at the sidelines pretending to show support.

There is a conflicting count as far as how many turned out. The organizers are saying 400-500, but media in MZ is claiming approx 100 (Dan, Vijesti, malesia.org).

Speakers were Dr. Angjell Gojcaj (attorney and legal expert), Anton Lulgjuraj (student from Tirana and leader of teh FDI), Vasel Camaj (deported activist), Genci Nimanbegu (Deputy of "FORCA"), and Besnik Gjonaj.

Media was well represented: Montenegro's top newspaper, "Vijesti", the pro-Serb periodical, "Dan", and several Albanian outlets, including "Top Channel."

Next Steps?

Let's see what comes out of this.

Anonymous said...

Demostrata kalaj mire. Jehona e saj tejkaloj Balkanin, tingellove ne Evrop dhe Amerik. Eshte fillimi I resistences sone per liri. Ne jemi te vetdijshem, se liria nuk fitohet leht. Nuk ka kthese mbrapa, do te vazhdojme deri sa ti fitojme tte drejtat tona . Me ty ose pa ty, ne.do te vazhdojme. Pyete vehten, a don me be gje per Malsin!? Per mos me be gje eshte lehte, per me be dicka per Malesi eshte sakrifice! shiqoje efektim qe kjo demostrstrat e ka pasure ne Malesi, mementumi ka filluar, le ta vazhdojme. Guri

Anonymous said...

Te lumte Guri, komentet tua te shkurtra por gjithemon kuptimplote, domethense dhe ne interes te Malesise.

Anonymous said...

Flamuri shqiptar ne web-faqen e presidencës malazeze

MAL I ZI- Sulmohet faqja zartare e presidentit të Malit të Zi, Filip Vujanovic.

Hacker-at sulmuan mbrëmë web-faqen zyrtare të presidencës malazeze, duke vënë në të flamurin shqiptar, muzikë shqiptare dhe mesazhe si: “Shqiptarët nuk janë terroristë, por viktima”. Po ashtu piratët e internetit kanë vendosur edhe kërkesën që Tuzi i Malësisë të bëhet komunë, pasi, siç kanë vënë në dukje sulmuesit, “kjo është e drejtë e tyre”, raporton Europa e Lirë.

Përgjegjësinë për sulmin e ka marrë një grup hakerësh nga Ulqini, i cili ka lënë mesazhin në pjesën e poshtme të web-faqes së sulmuar.

Dy ditë më parë, në Tuz është zhvilluar protesta në mbrojtje të pakicës shqiptare në Mal të Zi. Protesta u mbajt kundër ligjit që ndalon përdorimin e flamurit kombëtar, për çështjen e pronave dhe për ndarjen e Tuzit si komunë në vete.
(el.me/BalkanWeb)

Bronx Boy said...

Pretty clever move on the Hackers!

The message is Ethnic Albania, that has been the story all these years according to Montenegrins.

This is why they disallow a full Municipality for Malesia, because they are afraid that the true intentions of that are to split from Slavs and join with Albania.

Although this is far-reaching, it remians a political variable that is thrown out there by Podgorica.

The strategy we know too well: Wait and allow the assimilation of Albanians with Slavs to take its toll, then once Albanians are no longer a "threatening" minority -- BAM! there is your Kamun!

What will Malesia do about this?

Who will step up to the plate and bat for Malesia?

Who has the balls to sacrifice?

Anonymous said...

Something is brewing with the Albanians in Montenegro!

Montenegrin officials ignored the Albanian national rights for two decades. They used and abused them for all these years… to gain their statehood, advance their political position in European and international arena. They never thought that one day; they will need to respect and address the Albanian natural rights, and pay close attention to Malesia, Ulqin, Plave e Guci. They have falsely believed that they have a pretty good regulator over them! They have been using some bogus artificial mechanisms to manipulate them; executing their xenophobia through some Albanian traitors, immoral people, and basters to confuse and maltreat Albanians. Now, I think reality is kicking in!

I think, finally, Albanians have realized how conniving, uncivilized, and discriminatory is their belief and attitude toward them! They now, understand that they are pushed to the edge of that Cemi’s cliff, threatening their national identity, and consequently leading them to extinction.

Albanians won’t stand for this kind of treatment, and rightfully so!
It is our time, be patient and stay tuned!

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that Albanians in Montenegro started to understand Slav's political games. This is promising!
Let's see what is next!

Tina said...

The only assimilation that should be taking place in Malësia should be with Albania. Borders and all.

Gjoka said...

Pse nuk e protestoni Dinoshen?

Submit complaint that he no deserve to be Ambassador to Albania. He work for interest of slavic people and no Albanian people.

Anonymous said...

Boycott Montenegro Now. Click here

Anonymous said...

Hey retard not only the albanian flag is not allowed no other flags are allowed beside the Montenegrin Flag... DA JE VJECNA CRNA GORA!

Anonymous said...

Coming from an Albanian fuck this Malsia bullshit it might of been ours historically but we cant take it now it's Montenegrin. Secondly Montenegro opens its borders to Kosovo Albanians so be fucking grateful !

Anonymous said...

Responding to your ignorant comment is a waste of time, however DO NOT confuse yourself as an Albanian, you should come out of the closet and proclaim your Slavicness as the dog you are.

Malesia will weed the stench of Slavic sympathizers like you, and at the same time will execute you discreetly. You are a plague that requires extermination, much like an unwanted cockroach.

Malesia never belonged to those sons-of-whores you love and go to bed with called Malazez! But then again I am not directing these words of wisdom to an Albanian but rather to the lowest form of life on this planet identifying themselves as Slavic-pigs! Even an amoeba has more sense than you cowards.

And to be grateful that Kosova borders are "open" only furthers your ignorance to the greater truth -- THERE ARE NO BORDERS SEPARATING ALBANIANS from Albania, Malesia, Ulqin, Plav-Guci, Presheve, Kosove, Dardania and Chameria! These are imaginary lines that mean nothing.

Be prepared to witness the coming of Greater Albania, a phenomenon that cannot be thwarted by anyone, especially the armpit of Europe who make up Slavs!