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Sunday, June 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DEMONSTRATION CALLS FOR MONTENEGRO TO CEASE ILLEGAL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS AND INJUSTICES AMONG THE ALBANIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS

WASHINGTON DC, June 14, 2008 – The Albanian-American Diaspora, through its several organizations throughout the United States, have joined efforts to call together a peaceful demonstration to highlight the continued illegal detention of 16 Albanians currently detained on charges unproven and unsubstantiated, under judicial proceedings besieged by corruption, inconsistencies and obstruction of constitutional, state and international norms. We are demanding an end to violations of civil liberties, constitutional and human rights, which have consequently led to sharp cleavages in the social, political, and economic lives of Albanians throughout Montenegro. These infringements to the inherent rights of Montenegro’s largest ethnic group have led to the dubious arrests of 16 Albanians in the case contemptuously depicted as “Eagle’s Flight.” The Albanian-American Diaspora calls upon all Albanians and supporters of human rights to come together and proclaim an immediate end to these human rights violations at the following venue:

Washington, DC
June 23, 2008 – 10:00 a.m.

Montenegro’s fragile democracy is being challenged by its inability to carry out the rule of law, where judicial institutions are influenced by individuals for their own self-interests that are ill-equipped to implement fairness and equal justice for all its citizens. Given the intricate network of party loyalties between judges, prosecutors, police and government elites, these corruptive associations have produced a disturbing climate where Albanians do not stand a chance at a fair trial, further evidenced by the following inconsistencies in their very own legal standards surrounding the case:

* This case against the accused cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt because the case necessarily relies upon the illegal conduct and perjured testimony of Police Officers
* The trial prosecutor’s involvement in human rights violations renders her biased and she lacks the objectivity and independence required by the State Prosecutor’s Law to be the trail prosecutor.
* Under Montenegrin law, the accused are entitled to five judges, however only three judges have been assigned to “Eagle’s Flight” in efforts to reduce the probability of dissent.

These above-mentioned violations have disenfranchised an entire ethnic group, where public participation in political, societal and community associations are discouraged and manipulated by the majority. In the same vein, the emergent distrust in government and state institutions, including corruptive law and judicial enforcements, are threatening to tear the fabric of a multi-ethnic society. As such, policies that favor government abuses and corruption, including confiscation of land and natural resources, have led to assimilation and forced emigration as the only means of survival, thus rendering the Albanians in Montenegro the most threatened national minority in the Balkans.

Acknowledgement of the aforementioned neglect to human rights have been clearly recognized and documented by international monitoring agencies, including the U.S. Department of State, Helsinki Committee of Montenegro, OSCE, European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Amnesty International, and Freedom House.

The magnitude of this rally has gathered the support of all Albanian-American organizations representing and working for the inherent rights of Albanians in Montenegro. This show of unity further underscores the need for international mediation to put a stop to the growing disparities between the majority and minorities in Montenegro. As such, this call for unification is extended to the Albanian-American community throughout the United States and abroad. Join us as we demonstrate for those who cannot. Together we seek Equal Rights and Equal Protection under the law for all Albanians in Montenegro.

SUPPORTED IN UNISON BY:

Albanian Catholic Churches
Albanian Islamic Centers
Albanian American Association
(Shoqata Malësia e Madhe)
Albanian American National Council
Albanian American Student Organization
Albanian Community Television
Albanian TV of Michigan
First Albanian Bektashi Monastery
Homeland Unites Us
(Levizja Atdheu na Bashkon)
Humanitarian Fund “MALËSIA”
(Fondi Humanitare “Malësia”)
Plavë Guci Foundation
Shoqata Ana e Malit
Shoqata Ded Gjo Luli
Zani Atëdheut (Homeland Voice)

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New York Times article published May 21, 1911

"ALBANIAN JOAN OF ARC: Handsome Heroine Takes Father's Place and Vanquishes Turks" – Cetinja, May 21, 1911 - A young girl, whose first name corresponds to that of the given name of the Maid of Orleans, is now being sung in the songs of the Montenegrin bards in the inns and coffee houses in Podgorica. When at the battle of Vranje last week, her father, the hereditary commander of his clan, fell, she immediately stepped to his place and led the Martinajs to victory against the Turks. Aside from the romantic phase of the affair, for Janitza Martinaj (Tringa e Grudes) is very beautiful, the battle is important as showing that the Montenegrins on the frontier had joined with the Albanians. According to a person who is well acquainted with her, this new Joan of Arc is “a tall, handsome, well-developed young woman. All the Albanian women are brave, and are trained from their girlhood to the use of firearms, and in times of war, as there are no mules, they carry the provisions and ammunition for their soldiers and go into the firing line to distribute them.” “And are sometimes killed?” “Yes, often that happens.” Janitza would probably have carried a Martini rifle; or, as many of the Marininis were collected last year by the Turks, her weapon may perhaps have been one of the old-fashioned Albanian rifles, which are handsomely decorated with silver and have very long, narrow barrels. Shooting is almost the only amusement of the young men and women in Albania. Both boys and girls learn to shoot when they are 12 years old. At weddings the parties amuse themselves by dancing and shooting: at christenings shootings is again the principal amusement – firing at large targets for some little prize – and at festivals there is shooting all day long. It’s one of the great difficulties that Turks have to contend with, for it is part of the national life; the people use their rifles by day and sleep with them by their side by night. The custom has grown up with the prevailing insecurity from vendettas at home and border troubles abroad. Physically, the Albanians are the finest race in Europe. Their women are handsome, with dark hair, though their eyes are sometimes gray. To see them walk is a delight. We like to see the ballet in Servia. The first time I saw the Albanians walk it gave me just the same pleasure. Their movements are so graceful, elegance and strength together. Yes, they are a very fine and very gifted race. They are like the Scots in the 17th century, and they will be by and by the finest race, intellectually as well as physically, in the Balkans. If you go to Constantinople you will find that many of the finest men, not only soldiers but also statesmen are Albanians. Their fault, due to their present degree of civilization, is that they cannot grasp the idea of State. The clan is their highest organization; they are unable to see the importance of combining the clan with the higher organization of making a state. But that will come.

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Sunday, June 15, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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