24 CSOs in Albania, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement following the 2 July protests in Tirana, expressing concern over allegations of disproportionate use of force, ill-treatment of detained protesters, obstacles to effective access to legal counsel and independent medical examinations, and the risk of losing key evidence. The organisations call on the authorities to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly, preserve all relevant evidence, conduct independent forensic examinations where appropriate, and ensure a prompt, impartial and effective investigation into all allegations of misconduct. They also urge public officials to refrain from statements that could prejudice ongoing investigations or stigmatise protesters, lawyers and human rights defenders. While condemning all forms of violence, they stress that such acts cannot justify the disproportionate use of force or violations of fundamental rights. The statement is available here.
Source: Albanian Helsinki Committee