Representatives of the protest met with OSCE representatives in Tirana to raise their concerns about recent developments, focusing on arrests, protesters being taken to police stations, acts of violence and abuses by the State Police.
After the meeting, Erjon Murataj said that those attending included representatives who had been part of the protest since its first day.
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He said they outlined problems encountered during the protests, as well as their demands for changes to the electoral system and territorial reform.
“I came with representatives who have been part of the protest from day one. We expressed our concerns about the violence carried out by the criminal organization known as the State Police. We also described other problems involving people being taken to police stations. Another major topic was our demands from day one: changing the system and territorial reform. We shared concerns of a political nature as well, and I think the time has come to raise them with the international community. The deaf ear turned by Edi Rama, and by the political class in general as it seeks to benefit from the protest, means we must now go to every international mission to make our voices heard. We want change for a European Albania that supports integration with dignity, not through backroom dealings,” Murataj said.
Meanwhile, Ilir Xhemalaj stressed that one of the protest’s five main demands is the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, underscoring that there would be no compromise on that point.
“There were five main points in this discussion, and the most important is Prime Minister Rama’s resignation. On this point, we will not back down or make any concessions,” Xhemalaj said.
Asim Prengzaj also raised concerns about the treatment of protesters, calling on Albania to apply the same standards for the right to protest as European Union countries.
He denounced the detention of young people and children at police stations, as well as fines for taking part in protests that he described as abusive.
“During the meeting, we asked that, as we are seeking to become an EU member, the same standards for protests be applied. It is unforgivable that yesterday, when the European progress report came out, our children were detained, taken to police stations and given abusive fines for participating in a protest,” he stressed.
Laura Kërtalli, for her part, said the meeting covered various aspects of organizing the protest and the importance of continuing to confront Edi Rama in the square alongside contacts with international representatives.
“Various aspects of the protest were examined, and it was emphasized that every way of organizing the protesters should be pursued. That means confronting Edi Rama in the square and seeking support through international meetings like today’s, as well as future meetings,” Kërtalli said.
