Democratic Foundation of Chameria

Democratic Foundation of Chameria logo

The Democratic Foundation of Chameria (Albanian: Fondacioni Demokratik Çamëria, Dutch: Democratische Stichting Cameria) was founded in 2006 in Hague, Netherlands and aims to resolve the issues created by the expulsion of Cham Albanians. Every year it organizes protests outside the International Court of Justice, where it intends to bring the Cham issue, if the governments of both countries will not find a solution.

Aims

The organization aims to further the interests of inhabitants and former inhabitants of Chameria and all that is associated with this in the widest possible sense of the word. It also aims to resolve the issue with three main activities:

  • lawfully and peacefully drawing attention to the legal position, the living and working conditions of the inhabitants and former inhabitants of Chameria;
  • entering into negotiations with all types of organizations, both governmental and non-governmental;
  • safeguarding the legal interest of inhabitants and former inhabitants of Chameria by means of legal proceedings, when necessary."
    — Democratic Foundation Chameria, [1]

Chams legal issue

Cham activists see the Cham issue as both political and legal.[2] The resolution of the property and citizenship issue, can be traced to the International Court of Justice, according to Chams. The main issue that Muslim Cham Albanians demand is the restoration of the Greek citizenship, whilst retaining the citizenship of the country in which they currently reside and the recognition of a minority status. The restoration of their properties is another main issue, while would not accept a financial compensation[2] These two legal aspects are in the focus of the organization.[1]

Key persons

The foundation is chaired by Festim Lato, whose origin is from Vrohonai of Greece. The leading persons of the foundation are Cham Albanians, such as Kujtim Beci and Sali Beqiri, while the foundation is assisted also by Dutch attorneys, who have been committed to resolve the legal issues of Chams. They are Ruud van Boom, and prof. dr. Leisebeth Zegveldan, both attorneys from the Hague, specialized on issues of minority rights.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Democratic Foundation of Chameria (2009). "Official website of the Democratic Foundation of Chameria". The Hague, Netherlands. Retrieved 2009-04-16.
  2. 1 2 Vickers, Miranda. The Cham Issue - Albanian National & Property Claims in Greece. Paper prepared for the British MoD, Defense Academy, 2002.ISBN 1-903584-76-0
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