Albania: Migration and Immigration Issues

Albania: Migration and Immigration Issues and the Effects on Gender, Religious and Minorities

The objective of this work is to answer the question of how has migration and immigration in Albania affected or influenced the country's culture? Additionally, this paper seeks to examine the roles and treatment of women in Albania as well as the affect of migration and immigration patterns on religious practices, women and minorities in Albania.

GENDER ISSUES

The work of Vullnetari (2007) entitled: "Albania Migration and Development: State of the Art Review" in a IMISCOE Working Paper published in September 2007 states that migration in Albania has historically been of a forced migration in addition to vigorous pursuit of emigration on the part of Albanians and in fact to the extent that the labor emigrations "intensified by the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, influenced by the global political and socio-economic situation." (Vullnetari, 2007; 13) Stated as a "very important point in the context of these migrants' profiles is their gender..." In that the labor migration was primarily involving male labor migrants however this is not to infer that the women were not affected since "...females were left behind to mourn the separation from their male relatives." (Vullnetari, 2007; 13) of those women who did migrate with the male labor workers their role is described as "homemakers for their men upon arrival in the new country, and as preservers of tradition and the memory of homeland...generally the Albania woman was still not expected to express opinions, she was still 'unobtrusive' and did not vote." (Vullnetari, 2007; 14) it is reported that 20,000 to 30,000 Albanians returned from the United States between 1919 and 1925 "bringing their savings with them." (Vullnetari, 2007; 15) However many returned in what is termed the 'second large scale immigration of Albanians to America' and was t time in which "entire villages were deserted except for a few old people, as men took their wives and children with them." (Vullnetari, 2007; 14) the shift was then from a "male-dominated to a family-dominated emigration" (Vullnetari, 2007; 15) in which more single young women exceed that of men in Albanian emigration between 1920 and 1930.

II. STATEMENT SUBMITTED by ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT (2001)

In the "Report Submitted by Albania Pursuant to Article 25, Paragraph 1 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities" it is stated that Albania "attaches a special attention to the good relations, tolerance, cooperation and cohabitation and understanding between the Albanians and the national minorities living in its territory. During all its past and present history, the Albania society has not encountered any ethnic, racial or religion problem or conflict." (2001) the report states that this fact is "acknowledged by international organizations as well.' (Council of Europe, 2001) Additionally related in the report is the fact that Albanian state policy "rises on two fundamental pillars determined by the international instruments for the protection of national minorities: (1) the legal guarantee and the exercise in practice of the right for an non-discriminating treatment of the people belonging to national minorities regarding the respect for all human rights, civil rights and political freedoms contemplated by the Constitution and the legislation for all Albanian nationals; and (2) the legal guarantee and the adoption of concrete measures to protect and respect the rights of national minority members, such as: the right to freely express their belonging, to preserve and develop their identity through exercising freely and without restraint those special elements which characterize the life of their community as a minority, the learning of the native language, the cultural activity, the exercise of religion, etc. (Council of Europe, 2001 This report relates that in the "Implementation of the Provisions of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities: Part II, Section I and Article 3 it is stated: (1) Every person belonging to national minorities shall have the right freely to choose to be treated as such and no disadvantage shall result from this choice or from the exercise of the rights, which are connected to that choice; and (2) the persons belonging to national minorities may exercise the rights and enjoy the freedoms flowing from the principles enshrined in the present framework Convention individually as well as in community with others. (Council of Europe, 2001) Additionally reported is that Albanians "have historically claimed distinction for understanding and tolerance towards national minority members, a fact which has determined the exemplary coexistence between them and religious communities." (Council of Europe, 2001) Toward this end, Albania is focusing on two fundamental policy directions: (1) Protection and respect of the human rights and freedoms and the development of the special identity of the minorities, and (2) Their complete integration in the Albanian society. (Council of Europe, 2001)

III. EDUCATION ISSUES for MINORITIES

It is related in one report that the educational infrastructure in its entirety "was severely affected during the period of unrest" in Albania however the government is presently in the process of planning "new programs and texts for minority education, and teacher training for minority education classes." (European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, 1999) Four new schools are now in operation for the minority population although there is a shortage of teachers who are qualified to teach at the minority schools.

IV. RACIAL & RELIGIOUS INEQUALITIES