United Nations Commission on Human Rights

April 9, 2005

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Florina /Lerin

The Macedonian Human Rights Movement of Canada (MHRMC) and EFA-Rainbow were present at the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) that takes place in Geneva. Among distinguished guests and international NGO's, MHRMC and EFA-Rainbow had interesting talks with members of UN Permanent missions, focusing on the issues of human rights, especially for the Macedonians in Greece, Bulgaria and Albania.

Thorough reports about the situation of the Macedonian minorities in all three countries were also distributed in the General Assembly but also to many participants from all over the world and NGO' s that expressed interest.

• The Macedonian Minority in Greece
• The Macedonan Minority in Bulgaria
• The Macedonian Minority in Albania

For Greece in particular, the two organizations once more highlighted the absolute need for the improvement of today's situation for all ethnic and linguistic groups.

Recognition of diversity, introduction of minority languages into primary and secondary education to the regions were these languages are spoken and respect of the rights for all minority groups are a "must" but still remain an illusion for Greece, a member state of the European Union. The UNCHR can play a vital role in this direction, something that was already emphatically proven during its 61st session.

See related story with recent ban of a TV program in Greek State TV