REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
PATRIOTIC-POLITICAL ASSOCIATION
"CAMERIA"
Tirana,
The Patriotic-Political Association "Chameria" ("cameria") that represents the protection of the human rights and freedoms of the Albanian population of Chameria evicted with violence and terror from its own native land in Chameria (ThesprotiaGreece),
Taking into account the positive processes that are going on in Europe today and the efforts made by the international community, the CSCE and other organizations to guarantee the fundamental democratic national and human rights and freedoms,
Making more attainable the rights that should be enjoyed by the national minorities and ethnic groups that have remained outside borders in certain historical circumstances,
Addresses itself with great respect to the international public opjnion and organizations concerning very important problems of the Chams (cam), Chameria Albanians.
THE CHAM TRAGEDY - AN INJUSTICE THAT SHOULD BE REDRESSED
The Albanian region of Chameria or Thesprotia as it is called by the Gréčk administration, begins from the most southern part of today’s Albania.
It comprises the ‘southern part of the ethnic territories of Southern Epirus, inhabited by Albanians since the ancient times (Pellazgico-Illyrian times) until today.
One people and one ethnic territory continuity is testified to by Greek authors of ancient times and also by the Great Greek Encyclopedia, as well as by many world wide known scientific authorities. This is also proved by the real presence of Albanians there and their language, culture and tradition.
The population of Chameria has been ethnically Albanian. It comprised 99% in the cities and 100% in the villages. Till the beginning of the 18th century, the population of this region was of the orthodox faith. After this period, the process of Islamization began among the Albanians. As a result of this process, according to the statistical data of the Turkish administration, 50% of the Albanian population converted to Islam and 50% kept the Orthodox faith. These figures. have been misrepresented even today, harming ethnic Albanians. The census held by the Turkish administration in 1910 testifies that in the region there were 83.000 orthodox and Muslim Albanians. While the statistical yearbook of the Greek government in 1936 shows that only 26.000 Chams lived in Chameria, it does not mention the Orthodox Albanians, because the Greek government considers them Greeks.