Mjaft! to Minister Basha: “React against this scandal so that Albanians’ dignity is restored”

Mjaft! activists protested today in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs against the lack of reaction which this institution is showing regarding the scandalous video which was recorded in one of the police stations in Athens. Activists were holding banners against both the repeating Greek xenophobia towards Albanians and against the silence of Albanian authorities regarding the shocking events of such attitude practiced both in the past as well as in the present. “While these appalling videos, where the police officers were beating up two Albanians and forcing them to exercise physical violence to each other, the Greek Prime Minister denounced them, whereas the Albanian authorities, in particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was just satisfied with a press release”, said Joni Baboci, a Mjaft! activist. “This is unacceptable”, he added, “thus, we are gathered here to demand a serious and constructive reaction from Minister Basha in order to restore dignity in our country”. Mjaft! argues that it is unforgivable that the Albanian state does not react efficiently every time that the Albanian dignity is violated in the neighboring country. “Greek soldiers stated that they would make shoe laces out of our bowels, the Albanian flag is publicly burned in Greece, and further more young Albanians are beaten and killed as in the case of Vullnet Bytyqi. However, what the Albanian state does is only a vague declaration and also from time to time, as in yesterday’s declaration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the courage to praise the work of Greek authorities”, said a Mjaft! activist. “Mjaft! Movement was deeply touched from this video. “This shameful and scandalous event goes beyond comprehension and finds no way to be explained”, was stated in Mjaft!’s declaration a day after the video was made public and thus was concluded in today’s protest. Mjaft! urged the Greek authorities to take immediate action against the people that forced such an attitude towards the Albanian juveniles and to show clear signs of respect of the law, human rights and dignity. The same requests are addressed to the Albanian Government as well. “We urge the Albanian Government to handle the situation in a more effective way and to consider its priority the needs and rights of its citizens both abroad and at home. The case of the violated Albanian immigrants, the death of two miners in Bulqiza mine due to the miserable working conditions and the pressure that is being put upon the other miners so that they remain silent – they all need public attention rather then prolonged and futile debates of Albanian politicians.We sympathize with all the Albanian who live and work legally in this neighboring country and we would like to let them know that we would do everything necessary for conveying to the international public opinion the massage that we are a civilized nation which embrace dignity and will tolerate no one who tries to violate these values”, was stated in the Mjaft!’s declaration.