Chameria: Albanians remember Greece’s ethnic cleansing of Muslims, 80 years later

As World War II came to a close, the “Chameria genocide” unfolded in northern Greece, leading to the expulsion of Albanian Muslims from the region. Today, this event remains a contentious issue between Albania and Greece, marking the 80th anniversary of the killings.

The forced expulsion of Albanian Chams resulted in thousands of deaths, rapes, and destroyed villages. The Greek nationalist forces were responsible for this ethnic cleansing, displacing over 20,000 Albanian Chams mainly to Albania. The historical trauma still resonates with the descendants of those affected, like Sildi Koqini, who advocates for the preservation of Chameria’s memory for future generations.

The Historical Context

The Balkans’ religious and ethnic makeup underwent significant changes in the early 20th century, fueled by nationalist sentiments from countries like Greece and Serbia. The conflict over Chameria is rooted in irredentist campaigns during the Balkan wars and the Ottoman withdrawal from the region.

Efforts to seek reparations and recognition of the Cham genocide continue to strain Greek-Albanian relations, with the EU also intervening in the discussion. While Greece denies the issue’s existence, Albanian activists push for historical reckoning and justice for the Cham people.