Call for Papers | International Conference on “The Greek National Minority of Albania. Collective minority protection and individual rights”

Deadline for submission: 10 April 2024

The School of Law of the University of Nicosia calls for the submission of abstracts for an international conference on: The Greek national minority of Albania (Northern Epirus). Collective minority protection and individual rights which will be held in Nicosia on 6-7 September 2024.

Topics of the Conference
The Greek National Minority (GNM) is the largest and most important minority in Albania. Greeks of Albania had suffered under the regime of Enver Hoxha due to the prohibition of the use of the Greek language outside the so-called minority zone, the prohibition of religion, persecutions and confiscation of property. Since 1990 many Greeks of Albania moved to Greece or Cyprus. The full respect of the rights of the GNM has been at the center of Greek-Albania relations ever since. The safeguard of the free exercise of the right of self-determination, the size of the GNM, the respect of the right to property, the right to education in accordance with the preferences of the GNM and the safeguarding of the use of the Greek language in public life, have been at the forefront of the relevant debate. Incidents, such as the assassinations of Aristotelis Goumas and Konstantinos Katsifas, as well as the continuous imprisonment of the Mayor-elect of Himara Fredi Beleri, have also necessitated the discussion on the protection of the individual rights of members of the GNM, particularly to the extent that such are connected to their identity as members of a minority national group.

The Conference aims to discuss the safeguards for international and domestic protection of the GNM and its members, both in theory and in practical application. Approaches from the fields of law or politics are welcome, as well as contributions from other fields of social sciences or interdisciplinary approaches, and original empirical research.

Indicative topics:

  • International law and rights of the GNM
  • Albanian domestic legal order and the GNM
  • The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the GNM
  • Is there a Greek minority zone?
  • The right of self-determination of the GNM and its members
  • Linguistic and educational rights of the GNM
  • Minority rights and national identity of members of the GNM
  • The safeguard of property rights of members of the GNM
  • The bilateral dialogue between Greece and Albania on the GNM
  • The policy of the Albanian state and the GNM
  • Efficient participation in public life and GNM
  • Protection of individual rights and GNM

Working language of the Conference
Greek/English

Guidelines for Submission
Submissions should include the title of the contribution and an abstract up to 500 words. They should be sent to the following email address: [email protected]

Costs
There are no fees to participate in this Conference. Participants are, however, responsible for securing their own funding for travel and lodging.

Publication of papers
Conference papers may be submitted for review so as to be included in a Conference proceedings volume.

Crucial dates
Submission of Abstracts: Up to 10 April 2024
Notification of decision: Up to 30 April 2024
Conference Dates: 6-7 September 2024

Inquiries
You may direct inquiries to the following email address: [email protected]