11 Albanian organizations and associations based in the United Kingdom have addressed an open letter to the Government and Parliament of Albania, expressing support for the civic protests that have been ongoing for more than a month and condemning police violence against peaceful protesters.
The initiative has also been joined by writer Lea Ypi, who has published the letter on social media. In their response, the organizations emphasize that the peaceful protests represent an increasingly conscious and organized civil society, describing them as an expression of democracy in action and the constitutional right of citizens to hold institutions accountable.
"The protests are attended by young people, parents, professionals and scholars, who have come out to protect the country's natural resources, public spaces and the right to be heard by state institutions. For this reason, we strongly condemn any form of violence, intimidation or repression against peaceful protesters," the letter states.
The document lists four main requests to the Albanian government:
- Full transparency on laws, decisions and contracts related to the protection of the environment and natural resources.
- Accountability for the sale or concession of state assets, with public consultation and parliamentary oversight.
- The protection of the public interest as a fundamental principle in economic development policies.
- Initiating a genuine and constructive dialogue with civil society representatives and protesters.
The letter was signed by UKAP Foundation, Kosovar Albanian Youth Against Violence, British Albanian Culture & Arts Association, Edinburgh University Albanian Society, Albanian Book Lovers Culture Club, Cambridge Uni Albanian Society, LSE Albanian Society, Diasporas Speaking, UCL Albanian Society, Successful Mothers and Gjurmë Iliriane.
FULL LETTER:
Honorable representatives of the Government and Parliament of Albania,
We, Albanian associations and communities established and based in the United Kingdom, express support for the civic protests in Albania and condemn police violence against peaceful protesters.
Daily peaceful protests are revealing the essence of an increasingly conscious and organized civil society. Thousands of Albanian citizens, including young people, parents, professionals and scholars, have taken to the streets to protect the country's natural resources, public spaces and the right to be heard by state institutions.
These protests are the purest expression of democracy in action, the constitutional and democratic right of every citizen to express their opinion and to hold state institutions accountable.
It is precisely for this reason that we strongly condemn any form of violence, intimidation or repression against peaceful protesters.
We call on the Albanian government to consider the essential demands of the protest movements, which relate to:
Full transparency regarding laws, decisions and contracts affecting environmental and nature protection, including projects that impact the country's protected areas, coastal lagoons and aquatic ecosystems;
Accountability of public institutions regarding the sale or concession of state assets, ensuring that any such decision is subject to public scrutiny, prior consultation and parliamentary oversight;
The protection of the public interest as a fundamental and non-negotiable criterion in any economic development policy, rejecting models that prioritize narrow private interests over the collective good of society;
Real and constructive dialogue with representatives of civil society and protest movements.
With respect and hope,
UKAP Foundation
Kosovar Albanian Youth Against Violence
British Albanian Culture & Arts Association
Edinburgh University Albanian Society
Albanian Book Lovers Culture Club
Cambridge University Albanian Society
LSE Albanian Society
Diaspora Speaking
UCL Albanian Society
Successful Mothers
Illyrian Traces
