BCSDN has expressed serious concern over escalating tensions, reported rights violations and restrictions on civic space amid ongoing protests in Albania. Since May 2026, sustained civic mobilisation over decisions affecting public resources and contested investment projects has developed into broader demands for transparency, accountability and meaningful public participation, with student-led protests intensifying in October. Reports of excessive police force, arbitrary detentions, intimidation of journalists and hostile rhetoric against protesters have raised serious concerns about fundamental freedoms. While condemning all acts of violence, BCSDN stands with Albanian civil society in calling for independent investigations, institutional accountability and protection of peaceful assembly and expression. The authorities’ response will be an important test of the credibility of EU integration as a driver of democratic change. BCSDN therefore stresses that Albania’s EU accession progress should be assessed against the effective protection of civic space and democratic accountability, rather than formal reform commitments alone.The full statement is available here.
Source: BCSDN