The Committee to Protect Journalists joined Albanian and international partner organizations in an open letter calling on Albanian authorities to investigate repeated violence and obstruction affecting journalists covering protests, and ensure accountability.
The letter came after serious incidents in the capital Tirana on October 13, when several journalists reported being physically assaulted or obstructed by police officers during protests over education and social issues. Three media workers required hospital treatment.
This was not an isolated incident. On October 8, journalists covering a protest outside parliament were obstructed by police despite being identifiable as members of the media, and some were pepper-sprayed. In September, Citizens.al journalist Vjolanda Peca was briefly detained while reporting on a protest.
The signatories to the letter called on police, oversight bodies, prosecutors, and government institutions to investigate the incidents, preserve relevant evidence, implement existing journalist safety guidelines, and ensure that journalists can report safely and without obstruction at public assemblies.
The letter urged the European Union, Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to raise the groups’ concerns with Albanian authorities. It also stressed that effective protection of journalists and implementation of fundamental rights and safeguards are part of Albania’s commitments as part of the process of European Union accession.
Read the full open letter here.