More than 30 Albanian CSOs, independent media outlets and human rights defenders, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement condemning recurring smear campaigns and public attacks against journalists, activists and civil society. The signatories warn that these attacks are part of a broader pattern aimed at shifting attention away from issues of public interest, discouraging civic participation and narrowing civic space. They stress that public officials have a responsibility to uphold democratic standards and refrain from using public office to stigmatise or intimidate individuals exercising their fundamental freedoms. The statement calls on state institutions to ensure freedom of expression, media freedom, peaceful assembly and a safe environment for civil society, while urging political actors to engage in fact-based public debate free from personal attacks. It also calls on the European Union and other international partners to continue closely monitoring developments affecting civic space, media freedom and fundamental freedoms as part of Albania’s EU accession process. Find the statement in Albanian here.
Source: National Resource Centre Partners Albania