Statement of the OSCE presence in Albania before protest
25/05/2019 14:54
Opposition’s protest in front of Tirana City Hall brings smoke and flames, clashes with protective barriers 26/04 15:42
The OSCE presence in Albania declared before today’s protest that violence is not acceptable, and turmoil cannot replace democratic political commitment.
Reminding the violence of May 11th, the declaration says that the mentioning of bloodshed one day before a public protest goes against modern democracy and democratic protests.
The STATEMENT BY THE OSCE PRESENCE IN ALBANIA:
The whole OSCE family, the OSCE Presence in Albania, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovakia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) George Tsereteli and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella strongly condemned the use of violence by the protesters in Albania’s capital Tirana on 11 May 2019. They stressed the right to peacefully assemble and protest, but underlined that violence is unacceptable and that riots are not a substitute for democratic political engagement. This statement is recalled before the 25 May 2019 demonstration. It remains as valid as 2 weeks earlier. Molotov cocktails, rocks thrown and firecrackers are unlawful, overreaction of forces of order cannot be accepted. Participants and leaders of the protest today are urged to show moderation. The mentioning of blood spilling a few days before a public demonstration is incompatible to modern democracy and democratic protest.
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