Gozi to Rama: “Albania deserves answers, not confrontation”
Statement by Sandro Gozi, Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party, in response to the tweet by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama:
“Prime Minister Rama, condemning violence against elected representatives and defending the right to peaceful dissent are not contradictory positions. We do both — clearly and consistently.
No parliamentarian should ever face violence or intimidation while carrying out their mandate. We condemn such behaviour unequivocally. But isolated acts of violence cannot be used to discredit an entire protest movement, dismiss legitimate grievances or avoid questions about other documented events.
Peaceful protesters must not face disproportionate force, arbitrary detention or intimidation. The images of unidentified individuals intervening against demonstrators also require a clear explanation. A government leading a country towards EU membership should be the first to demand full transparency and accountability.
Albania is not under attack. Quite the opposite: Albania matters to Europe, and we want to see it succeed on its European path. That is precisely why freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, police accountability and the rule of law are legitimate European concerns — not foreign interference.
Nearly a week has passed since Albanian activists, opposition figures and media organisations saw their social-media accounts blocked or restricted. You denied any government involvement. We took note of that. But what is still missing is the same determination from you to demand transparency and answers for those affected. You react forcefully when criticism is directed at you; we would expect equal force in defending the rights of those who criticise you.
A Prime Minister seeking to lead his country into the European Union should not fear scrutiny. He should welcome it. Criticism is not an attack on Albania. Dissent is not an attack on Albania. Asking questions is not an attack on Albania.
European democracy is measured precisely by how power responds to opposition, scrutiny and inconvenient questions.
Albania deserves answers, Prime Minister — not another confrontation with those asking legitimate questions."
