A group of 141 professors called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the creation of a caretaker government, condemning the use of force by the police against students during anti-government protests that have engulfed Tirana and other cities in Albania.

In a joint statement, the lecturers expressed concern over what they called unjustified violence against students and human rights violations during the protests.

"We call on Prime Minister Rama to listen to the demands of the students and pave the way for peace in the country. We demand his resignation and the creation of a caretaker government," the statement said.

According to the educators, such a government should guarantee institutional stability, calm tensions, and respect for the will of citizens.

The signatories also called on police officers to cease violence against students and refuse to enforce illegal orders, warning that responsibility for such actions lies with the individual.

"Remember that those who give you these orders today will deny them tomorrow, while the responsibility will remain with you," the educators warned.

The statement is also addressed to diplomatic missions in Tirana, which are asked to react publicly to protect citizens' rights.

Meanwhile, educators called on protesters to avoid damaging businesses and public and private property, arguing that acts of violence could be used by the government to justify police interventions and delegitimize the protest.

In an appeal to the citizens of Tirana, the signatories brought to attention the student movement of 1991, calling for broader solidarity with young people.

"We call on the citizens of Tirana to, just like in 1991, join the students to prevent violence against them," the statement says.

"No government has enough police and tear gas for an entire population," the appeal concludes.

The statement comes on the sixth day of student and citizen protests, which have been accompanied by violent clashes, hundreds of injuries, and the use of tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets by the police.

Prime Minister Rama has rejected demands for his resignation, stating that the protests are being exploited by political opponents and foreign factors to destabilize the country and hinder the European integration process. /birn