N\u00ebnshkruesit e letr\u00ebs b\u00ebjn\u00eb thirrje p\u00ebr hetime t\u00eb menj\u00ebhershme ndaj diskriminimit n\u00eb Departmentin Policor t\u00eb Malit t\u00eb Zi<\/p>\n
Nju Jork, NY \u2013Dyzina udh\u00ebheqsish dhe organizatash t\u00eb komunitetit shqiptaro-amerikan i kan\u00eb d\u00ebrguar nj\u00eb let\u00ebr Presidentit t\u00eb Malit t\u00eb Zi, Z. Milo Gjukanoviq, duke i k\u00ebrkuar atij q\u00eb t\u00eb t\u2019i kushtoj\u00eb v\u00ebmendje \u201cdiskriminimeve dhe ngacmimeve kund\u00ebr qytetar\u00ebve me origjin\u00eb shqiptare n\u00eb vendin e tij dhe n\u00eb radh\u00ebt e Departamentit Policor t\u00eb Malit t\u00eb Zi\u201d.<\/p>\n
Duke p\u00ebrmendur arrestimin koh\u00ebt e fundit t\u00eb Z. Irfan Domnori, nga oficer\u00eb t\u00eb Policis\u00eb Malazeze, vet\u00ebm se pse valviti flamurin shqiptar, udh\u00ebheqsit e komunitetit shqiptaro-amerikan i b\u00ebjn\u00eb thirrje Presidentit malazez q\u00eb t\u00eb filloj\u00eb hetimet ndaj diskrimimit sistematik t\u00eb shqiptar\u00ebve etnik\u00eb n\u00eb vendin e tij dhe nj\u00ebkoh\u00ebsisht, t\u00eb \u201cmarr\u00eb masat e nevojshme ndaj individ\u00ebve ose departamenteve p\u00ebrgjegj\u00ebs p\u00ebr ndalimin, gjobitjen dhe p\u00ebr d\u00ebbimin e Irfan Domnorit nga Mali i Zi.<\/p>\n
N\u00ebnshkruesit k\u00ebrkojn\u00eb q\u00eb hetimet jo vet\u00ebm duhet t\u2019i japin fund diskrimimit etnik, por nj\u00ebkoh\u00ebsisht hetimet duhet t\u00eb zbulojn\u00eb t\u00eb v\u00ebrtet\u00ebn rreth p\u00ebrhapjes s\u00eb k\u00ebsaj politike diskriminuese, p\u00ebrfshir, \u201c(1) Sa arrestime ka b\u00ebr\u00eb dhe sa gjoba ka l\u00ebshuar Policia Malazeze p\u00ebr shfaqjen e simboleve komb\u00ebtare? (2) Sa prej k\u00ebtyre arrestimeve dhe gjobave kan\u00eb pasur si objekt simbolet shqiptare n\u00eb krahasim me simbolet e komb\u00ebsive t\u00eb tjera t\u00eb cil\u00ebt valvitin nj\u00eb flamur komb\u00ebtar, duke p\u00ebrjashtuar flamurin malazez?\u201d<\/p>\n
Letra i b\u00ebn thirrje Presidentit Gjukanoviq q\u00eb t\u00eb marr\u00eb masa t\u00eb menj\u00ebhershme n\u00eb lidhje me ndalimin e valvitjes s\u00eb flamurit shqiptar, nd\u00ebrsa po afrohet 28 N\u00ebntori, Dita e Pavar\u00ebsis\u00eb s\u00eb Shqip\u00ebris\u00eb dhe nd\u00ebrkoh\u00eb q\u00eb shqiptar\u00ebt an\u00eb e mban\u00eb bot\u00ebs, p\u00ebrfshir edhe ata n\u00eb Mal t\u00eb Zi, me krenari do t\u00eb valvisin at\u00eb dit\u00eb flamurin komb\u00ebtar t\u00eb shqiptar\u00ebve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bashk-n\u00ebnshkruesit e letr\u00ebs treguan gatishm\u00ebrin\u00eb e tyre p\u00ebr t\u00eb punuar me Presidentin Gjukanoviq drejt\u00eb gjetjes s\u00eb nj\u00eb zgjidhjeje, n\u00eb p\u00ebrputhje me \u201cnj\u00eb shtet demokratik, an\u00ebtar i NATO-s dhe nj\u00eb vend q\u00eb aspiron t\u00eb b\u00ebhet an\u00ebtar i Bashkimit Evropian\u201d, thuhet n\u00eb letr\u00ebn bashkangjit\u00eb m\u00eb posht\u00eb n\u00eb anglisht:<\/p>\n
The Honorable President Milo Djukanovic
\nPresident of the Republic of Montenegro<\/p>\n
Dear Mr. President:<\/p>\n
We are writing to express our grave concern about the actions of the Montenegrin Police directed against citizens of Albanian descent from Montenegro, the Republic of Albania and other countries. Most notably, the Montenegrin Police have been bringing unprecedented criminal charges and levying fines against any individual or entity displaying the Albanian national flag. Thereby, raising major concerns of a possible pattern of discrimination and harassment against people of Albanian origin.<\/p>\n
Most recently, the Montenegrin Police arrested and expelled Mr. Irfan Domnori, a citizen of the Republic of Albania, for displaying the Albanian national flag at the annual Chestnut Festival in the region of Kraja, a municipality of Ulcinj. The mere act of displaying the Albanian flag at a cultural event resulted in Mr. Domnori being expelled, was levied a fine of 300 Euros and received an order that bans his re-entry into Montenegro for a period of 30 days. According to the Montenegrin Police, Mr. Domnori \u201cdisrupted public order and breached the peace.\u201d Many witnesses accounts, however, unequivocally contradict the Montenegrin Police\u2019s statement, and have denied any \u201cdisruption of public order\u201d or \u201cbreaching of the peace\u201d.<\/p>\n
This incident coupled with other incidents that show bias against Albanians are deeply concerning. This is not the first time that the Montenegrin Police have targeted Montenegrin citizens of Albanian descent and Albanians from other countries for displaying the Albanian national flag. Such actions by the police cause us to ask a number of questions: (1) How many arrests and summonses have the Montenegrin Police issued for the display of national symbols? (2) How many of those arrests and summonses have been issued specifically for the display of Albanian symbols as opposed to symbols of other nations? (3) Who in the chain of command is responsible for the directives to issue summonses and arrests of individuals who are displaying a national flag other than the Montenegrin flag?<\/p>\n
Mr. President, we request you and the Montenegrin Parliament to launch a full investigation and take the appropriate actions against the responsible individuals and\/or departments. The behavior of the Montenegrin Police in Mr. Domnori\u2019s case and previous cases is unbecoming of a democratic state, a member of NATO and a country aspiring to become a member of the European Union (EU). In fact, such actions violate numerous international laws, agreements, and conventions concerning human and national rights of minorities, as well as the Constitution of Montenegro. We respectfully remind you, Mr. President, that the Republic of Montenegro is a signatory of the aforementioned agreements and conventions.<\/p>\n
The actions of the Montenegrin Police have been damaging to the relations between the Montenegrin government and its own citizens of Albanian descent as well as the citizens of the Republic of Albania, who warmly welcomed Montenegrin (former Yugoslav) citizens to their country during World War II.<\/p>\n
We respectfully and urgently request that the Republic of Montenegro take all the necessary steps to adopt and genuinely integrate a policy of inclusion. We firmly believe that the first step in repairing this damaged relationship is for the Government of Montenegro to issue a public apology for the discriminatory actions targeted towards individuals of Albanian descent. The second step is to relieve of their duties the individuals, whatever their role in the government of Montenegro, who are perpetrating these discriminatory actions. We cannot imagine a higher moral duty than asserting that intolerance shall and will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n
In addition, we also implore you to facilitate the process of dismissing all charges against Mr. Domnori and others who are similarly situated. Expunging their criminal and infraction records, refunding the fines paid and immediately end the practice of arrests and fines for displaying national symbols.<\/p>\n
This issue is especially pressing in the wake of the 107th year of Albanian Independence which will be celebrated on November 28, 2019. Albanian descendants from all around the world, including in Montenegro, will proudly display the Albanian national flag. It is a celebration of freedom after 497 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire. The mere fact that Albanian descendants find themselves a part of another country\u2019s territory, through no fault of their own, does not entitle your government or any government to suppress their identity or violate their basic human rights. In order to avoid an international incident, we hope that in your capacity as President and leader of a free nation will ensure that such freedoms are afforded to all of your citizens and its visitors during the Albanian Independence celebrations. We pray that the Montenegrin Police will reconsider its tactics and that your country will embrace and protect the Albanian minority through law and practice.<\/p>\n
We, the Albanian American community, believe that diversity is a core value of the Republic of Montenegro, and respect for all ethnic groups is a key principle towards a prosperous future. Thus, we will not close our eyes to actions that undermine these principles.<\/p>\n
We remain hopeful in reaching an amicable solution to the existing issues and that you will take our suggestions seriously and afford them the time and consideration they deserve.<\/p>\n
We wish Montenegrin citizens of Albanian descent and all around the world a happy and peaceful flag day.<\/p>\n
We the undersigned, look forward to your response.<\/p>\n
Mark Gjonaj<\/strong>, Member, City Council of New York Albanian Business Network cc: The Honorable Prime Minister Dusko Markovic vanja.janjusevic@gsv.gov.me<\/a> D\u00ebrgoi p\u00ebr publikim, Frank Shkreli<\/strong>, gazetar<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Dhe ligji p\u00ebr njohjen e flamurit shqiptar n\u00eb Mal t\u00eb Zi u pranua pas pak dit\u00ebsh:<\/p>\n
\nAlbanian American Association Ana e Malit
\nAlbanian American Community Association
\nAlbanian American Council
\nAlbanian American Cultural Found.AACF
\nAlbanian American Educators Association
\nAlbanian American National Association
\nAlbanian American Open Hand Association
\nAlbanian American Puka Community Association
\nAlbanian American Women’s Organization “Motrat Qiriazi”
\nAlbanian American Writers Association<\/p>\n
\nAlbanian Roots
\nAlbanian Professional Entrepreneur Network – APEN
\nAssociation Malesia e Madhe NY
\nAtlantic Association
\nBijte e Shqipes
\nClassmates Forever
\nDibra Community organization
\nDom Simon Filipaj Foundation
\nHasan Prishtina Waterbury Organization
\nIllyria Business Organization
\nKelmendi Organization
\nKosova Lindore Association
\nKraja Patriotic Association
\nMarigona-Albanian Women Org
\nMasbesa Boston Germin
\nPan-Albanian Federation of America VATRA (THE HEARTH)
\nPeja Organization
\nPlav-Guci Foundation
\nRugova Association
\nScanderbeg Society
\nShpresa Cultural Association
\nSons of Illyria<\/p>\n
\n
\nThe Honorable Ambassador Srdjan Darmanovic kabinet@mfa.gov.me<\/a>
\nThe Honorable Ambassador Judy Reinke podgoricaACS@state.gov<\/a>
\nThe Honorable Ambassador Zeljko Stamatovic zeljko.stamatovic@mfa.gov.me<\/a>
\nMilian Rocen Adviser to President milan.rocen@yahoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n
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