March: A Tragic Month for the Albanian Nation in the 20th Century
The month of March in the 20th century remains one of the darkest periods for the Albanian nation, particularly for the region of Chameria. This month witnessed some of the most horrific tragedies, starting with the massacre in the Selan Stream in Paramithia, where 72 Albanian men were brutally murdered in 1913. Later, in March 1945, the Filat Massacre marked the culmination of genocidal atrocities that had begun on June 27, 1944. Documenting these events with historical accuracy is both a moral and historical duty, essential for ensuring that future generations learn the truth about these national tragedies.
The Selan Stream Massacre – March 27, 1913
The massacre at Selan Stream was one of the most brutal acts committed against the Albanian population of Chameria. After the fall of Ioannina on February 21, 1913, the Chameria region was home to approximately 40,000 Muslim Chams and 30,000 Orthodox Chams, with a negligible presence of ethnic Greeks. Just two days later, on February 23, 1913, Greek forces invaded Chameria, unleashing a wave of terror, killing, burning, and looting Albanian settlements.
The largest massacre during this period occurred in Selan Stream, northeast of Paramithia, on March 27, 1913. Even Greek historian G. Fessopoulos, a contemporary of the time, acknowledged these atrocities, writing: "After the occupation of Ioannina and all of Chameria, Greek andartes (militia) left bitter memories among the Albanian population of Chameria. A band of Cretan soldiers, led by Manalos Montakis and Granicas, spared nothing in their violence against the Muslim population." Similarly, K. Buehberg, in his work "My Years in Albania" (p.141), wrote: "After the fall of Ioannina, the surrounding areas were littered with the mutilated bodies of Albanians."
The Execution of 72 Chamerian Leaders
The massacre is also documented in a letter sent to the Italian command in Paramithia in 1917. This letter, preserved in the Municipality of Paramithia, describes how, on March 19, 1913, a Greek committee led by the Bishop of Paramithia compiled a list of influential Chamerian leaders and ordered their arrests. These leaders, accused of defending their homeland from the Greek invasion, were rounded up in various villages, transported under false pretenses, and ultimately executed in the Selan Stream.
On the night of March 27, 1913, approximately 200 anti-Chamerian Greek militants, including soldiers and armed civilians, carried out a meticulously planned operation. They arrested 72 Chamerian leaders from various villages, bound them in pairs with wire, and marched them to a remote area. As they entered the narrow Selan Stream, the captives were brutally attacked with bayonets and axes. Those who collapsed were crushed with rocks to ensure their deaths. The stream ran red with their blood, and the executioners even robbed the victims of their clothing and gold teeth before burying them beneath the riverbed’s gravel.
The massacre left a lasting wound on the Chamerian people, and to this day, the site remains a symbol of the suffering inflicted upon Albanians by the Greek state. Tragically, similar atrocities would follow in the years 1923–1926, 1930–1940, and during the genocidal campaign of June 27, 1944.
Chameria Under Greek Rule (1913–1944): A Period of Systematic Genocide
From 1913 to 1944, the Greek occupation of Chameria was marked by systematic efforts to eradicate the Albanian population. These crimes were directly sanctioned and encouraged by both the Greek state and the Orthodox Church. According to the definition set forth in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1948, and enforced on January 12, 1951), these acts constitute a clear case of ethnic and religious genocide.
Despite being a member of the European Union, Greece has never acknowledged or taken responsibility for its role in these genocidal actions. To this day, Greece has not ratified Protocol No. 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which protects minorities. Worse still, Greece has systematically denied the existence of national minorities within its borders and has sought to erase any reference to Chameria from school textbooks in history, geography, and literature.
Denial and the Ongoing Struggle for Justice
Greece’s refusal to recognize the rights of the Cham population continues to be an international issue. The Greek state not only denies the atrocities committed against the Chams but also actively prevents their descendants from reclaiming their properties and returning to their homeland. Documents from the Greek government and judiciary confirm that the Chams were not guilty of any wrongdoing, yet they continue to be victims of historical injustice.
The failure of the Albanian government to prioritize the Cham issue as a matter of national human rights policy is a grave oversight. As a result, the Chamerian question remains unresolved, and justice remains elusive for the victims and their descendants. It is imperative that Albania takes a firm stance on this issue and advocates for the recognition of Chamerians as an ethnic minority with rightful claims to their ancestral lands.
Conclusion
The tragedies of March 1913 and March 1945 represent some of the darkest chapters in the history of the Albanian nation. The massacres in Selan Stream and Filat were part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing and genocide perpetrated by the Greek state against the Albanians of Chameria. These events, though often ignored in international discourse, must never be forgotten. The truth must be documented, and justice must be pursued to ensure that such crimes are never repeated.
By shedding light on these historical facts, we honor the memory of the victims and reaffirm the commitment to truth and justice for all Albanians. The struggle for Chameria is not just a historical matter but a continuing fight for human rights, national dignity, and historical truth.