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The Helsinki Committee has learned from several
sources that ethnic Albanians from the villages in the Medvedja
municipality were faced with a new form of harassment. Over the past
twenty days unknown “archeologists” have desecrated several
centennial family graves in the village of Tupale.
Local witnesses testify that in full daylight and
at several locations unknown persons have been digging out family
graves dating back at the late 19th century. Since all these old
monuments have been desecrated illegally and without any permission
from relevant landowners villagers alarmed the local police: the
police has not taken any action so far.
The presence of obviously false archeologists
deeply disturbed local Albanians who have been living there for
centuries. The silence of the local police – disinterested, as a
rule, whenever it comes to Albanians – only deepened their sense of
insecurity.
The Helsinki Committee calls relevant authorities
to investigate the identities of these “archeologists” and take all
the measures necessary to protect the property of the Albanian
community in Medvedja. The practice of not reacting against the
constant pressure to which citizens of Medvedja are exposed is
simply impermissible.
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