The OSCE has reacted again to the tense situation surrounding the protests in Albania, condemning the violence and emphasizing the safety of journalists. The message from its representative goes beyond a routine diplomatic statement: institutions, political actors and law enforcement structures are being called on to account for how the escalation is being managed.
The OSCE’s reaction to the latest developments
Claude Haagen, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative for South East Europe, said he is deeply concerned about the latest developments accompanying the protests in Albania.
In his reaction, he stressed the importance of maintaining order, respecting fundamental freedoms and avoiding any further political and social escalation.
The right to protest and the responsibility of the authorities
According to the OSCE statement, the right to peaceful assembly and the freedom of citizens to express their views remain the foundation of a democratic society.
At the same time, the OSCE recalls that protecting human life and public and private property is the responsibility of law enforcement authorities, a standard that in times of tension requires not only force, but also proportionality and verifiable control.
Call for an investigation into violence and the use of force
Haagen stresses that violence cannot replace dialogue and that it has no place in a democratic society.
According to him, every act of violence committed by individuals during protests, as well as any excessive use of force by the authorities, must be investigated and addressed in accordance with Albanian legislation and international human rights standards.
This wording places both violence on the ground and the way the state responds to it under the same scrutiny.
OSCE puts the safety of journalists at the center
A specific part of the reaction is devoted to the media and the conditions in which journalists report during protests.
According to the OSCE representative, journalists must be able to report freely and safely, without intimidation, harassment or unjustified obstruction.
He stresses that a free and independent media is essential for transparency, accountability and informed public debate, especially when political tensions rise.
Call to politics and society
At the end of the statement, Haagen addresses the government, the opposition, civil society organizations, students and citizens with a call to engage in constructive dialogue.
His message is that the rule of law, respect for fundamental freedoms and dialogue must prevail over clashes, while institutions and political actors must unequivocally condemn violence and take immediate steps to lower tensions.
The OSCE reaction emphasizes a point that is often relativized at the height of political confrontation: neither do protests legitimize violence, nor does public order justify excessive force.
At the center of the message remains the demand for concrete accountability, investigation and real guarantees that fundamental freedoms do not remain only at the level of declarations.