The European Commission has reacted to the protests that have engulfed Tirana and other cities in Albania, with a statement that raises serious questions about the way Brussels is handling the situation.
In its statement, the European Commission condemns arson, attacks on institutions and the destruction of public and private property, but does not explicitly mention the reported violence of the State Police against students and protesters, including evidence of mistreatment of minors and the use of excessive force.
The European Commission begins the statement by listing acts of violence and damage to property, while limiting itself to a general reference to the proportionality of the response to them. There is no express condemnation of police violence.
“We condemn the use of violence in Tirana and other cities in Albania, including arson, attacks on state institutions and the destruction of public and private property. Violence has no place in a democratic society and the response to it must remain within the bounds of the law and be proportionate.”
The reaction continues with Brussels demanding that those responsible be brought to justice, but without specifying whether this call also includes police officers accused of violence against protesters.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice, through due process."
The European Commission then recalls that freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental European rights. However, the statement does not contain a direct request for the investigation of complaints of police violence or for the protection of detained minors.
“Freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights and core European values, which must be respected and exercised peacefully.”
But the most controversial part of the statement is the last paragraph, where the European Commission welcomes the commitment of the Albanian authorities to guarantee the right to protest, without specifically addressing the denunciations of police actions over the past few days.
“We welcome the commitment of the Albanian authorities to guarantee the protection of the right to protest. In a candidate country that is fully engaged in the EU accession process and is making significant progress on the path towards European integration, grievances must be addressed through constructive dialogue and in a peaceful manner.”
The situation in Tirana is in chaos, with police dressed as thugs kidnapping minors and students from the streets.
The use of rubber bullets in recent protests has also been reported by Reuters. The European Court of Human Rights has addressed the use of these weapons against protesters in its case law, emphasizing the importance of proportionality and effective investigation of cases of violence. This does not constitute a categorical ban on rubber bullets, but it does place important restrictions on their use.
In this context, the European Commission's statement leaves a fundamental question unanswered. Why does Brussels, while specifically mentioning arson and property damage, not address with the same clarity the allegations of police violence against citizens?
For an institution that considers respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law as non-negotiable conditions of European integration, the lack of an expressed position on these denunciations is an issue that deserves explanation. ©Lapsi.al
