1997 Human Rights Forum in Florina

Human Rights Forum - 1997

In accordance with the declaration of 1997 as the year against racism and xenophobia in Europe, the RAINBOW party organized an open forum. The forum was entitled Linguistic, Cultural and Ethnic Differences in the Countries of the European Union and Greece Today. The event was attended by over 200 guests.

The forum was initially scheduled for the 3rd of May, 1997 in Florina (Lerin). The organizers sent a letter to the local authorities (Prefecture, Chamber of Commerce, the Cultural League of Florina-"Aristotle") stating their wish to acquire a conference room. All of the above-mentioned denied RAINBOW's request even though all the conference rooms were unscheduled for that day.

At the same time some of the Greek newspapers, e.g., "Elefteros Typos" and "Adesmeftos Typos" wrote negatively about the so-called "provocative acts of the Skopians in Lerin." As a consequence of this negative atmosphere the forum was postponed until the 10th of May, 1997, and held in a private conference room 12 kilometres from Florina - between Florina and the village of Meliti (Ovcharani). Meanwhile, tax inspectors applied pressure on the proprietor of the conference room in an effort to prevent the planned activities.

The representative of the Organization of Macedonian Political Refugees in Bitola, Mr. Aleksandar Popovski, was unable to participate. Mr. Popovski had been officially invited by the organizers of the forum, but was refused entry into Greece at the border crossing Nikki (Negochani).

Furthermore, representatives of the Vlach minority in Greece and the "Sinaspismos" political party did not participate, even though they had answered positively to the invitation of the organizers. Their absence was very likely due to pressure from authorities not to take part in the forum.

Despite all this, the forum took place under the shadow of the words of the distinguished Macedonian, Gotse Delchev - "I perceive the world as a field for the cultural competition amongst peoples". These words were written on a banner in both Greek and Macedonian. With over 200 participants, a very worthwhile discussion was conducted. The Macedonian question was discussed, or more specifically, the rights the Macedonian ethnic minority should be permitted in Greece. An active question period followed.

Afterwards, festivities were arranged with songs and dancing. It must be said that this is the first time such an event has been held in the Florina area. The RAINBOW party considered the event a great success and intends to organize similar events in other towns.

Notable attendees were:

Panayote Elias Dimitras - Spokesperson, Greek Helsinki Monitor
Nafsika Papanikolatou - representative of Minority Rights Group - Greece
Anne-Marie Boeström - Swedish Helsinki Committee
Elias Zafiropoulos - representative of the Central Council of OAKKE
Vasilis Sakelariou - writer/chief editor of the chronicles "Tetradia tou Marksismou"
Salih Halil - Turkish Minority representative from the Association of Educators of Western Thrace
Pictures from the Forum [pic 1] [pic 2] [pic 3] [pic 4]