OSCE/ODIHR raises concern over violence against protesters in Albania: Police must not use unlawful or excessive force!

The escalation of tensions and acts of violence during protests in the Albanian capital has drawn the attention of Europe’s most important institutions for human rights and electoral processes.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has issued an official statement criticizing police actions and calling for investigations to begin without delay.

In a statement addressed to the public, ODIHR explicitly called on law enforcement agencies in Albania to immediately end disproportionate and arbitrary interventions against citizens, while recalling the international commitments undertaken by the Albanian state.

Official OSCE/ODIHR statement:

“Alarmed by reports of acts of violence during protests in Albania, ODIHR calls on all parties to remain calm. Law enforcement forces must avoid any use of force against demonstrators that is unlawful or excessive in scale, and any such incident must be investigated swiftly and impartially.”