Landa Grembi

Berlin – Tirana Enough is enough. Brutal violence and repression must end. Rama must go. To subject defenceless people lying on the ground — children, lawyers, reporters and opposition figures — to kicks and baton blows is brutal abuse. No uniform, no order and no political office can justify such acts. Those who beat and humiliate defenceless people in Albania today abuse state power and act criminally. Over the past few days, Rama, Balla and their criminal associates have crossed the red line. In Albania, security forces have become perpetrators, and citizens the victims of state repression. Personal responsibility rests with the Rama administration. At its head: a man without moral principle. The allegations against Rama’s security apparatus form part of a wider pattern. Since 2013, international election observers have documented an absence of a level playing field, widespread misuse of state resources and institutional power, alongside reports of pressure on voters and instances of intimidation. The elections were rigged. These findings destroy the government’s democratic credibility. A government that seeks to force its citizens into submission through brutal violence, repression and deliberate intimidation betrays its public duty. Albania is not Rama’s private property. The police are not his government’s personal guard. Sovereignty belongs to the Albanian people. An unequivocal demand is addressed to Albania’s security forces: End the violence against peaceful people. Put down batons and weapons wherever they are directed against the defenceless. Stop beating, intimidating and terrorising children and women. Protect the population. Do not obey unlawful orders. Arrest Rama and Balla, together with their remaining henchmen. Albanians need not endure immediate unlawful attacks without defending themselves. They may defend themselves and others robustly against such attacks. Self-defence serves to repel violence; it does not justify retaliation. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” — Exodus 21:23–25. This biblical passage stands here as an admonition against impunity: the suffering of the victims must not be without consequences. The perpetrators, and those who order, enable or knowingly cover up abuse, must face the Albanian population’s exercise of self-defence, as well as an independent investigation and prosecution in accordance with the rule of law. Rama bears responsibility for his security apparatus. He cannot claim its power while disclaiming responsibility for its conduct. Europe’s governments must also act: They must demand protection for those affected, support independent investigations and insist on political accountability. Human dignity must not be sacrificed to diplomatic expediency. Rama must resign immediately. Albania needs a peaceful democratic transition and free elections under credible, internationally verifiable conditions. Enough violence. Enough repression. Citizens are not subjects. Albania’s future belongs to them. Linked posts: facebook.com/share/v/1DNaRV… facebook.com/share/r/17ga8d…

Berlin – Tirana Enough is enough. Brutal violence and repression must end. Rama must go. To subject defenceless people lying on the ground — children, lawyers, reporters and opposition figures — to kicks and baton blows is brutal abuse. No uniform, no order and no political office can justify such acts. Those who beat and humiliate defenceless people in Albania today abuse state power and act criminally. Over the past few days, Rama, Balla and their criminal associates have crossed the red line. In Albania, security forces have become perpetrators, and citizens the victims of state repression. Personal responsibility rests with the Rama administration. At its head: a man without moral principle. The allegations against Rama’s security apparatus form part of a wider pattern. Since 2013, international election observers have documented an absence of a level playing field, widespread misuse of state resources and institutional power, alongside reports of pressure on voters and instances of intimidation. The elections were rigged. These findings destroy the government’s democratic credibility. A government that seeks to force its citizens into submission through brutal violence, repression and deliberate intimidation betrays its public duty. Albania is not Rama’s private property. The police are not his government’s personal guard. Sovereignty belongs to the Albanian people. An unequivocal demand is addressed to Albania’s security forces: End the violence against peaceful people. Put down batons and weapons wherever they are directed against the defenceless. Stop beating, intimidating and terrorising children and women. Protect the population. Do not obey unlawful orders. Arrest Rama and Balla, together with their remaining henchmen. Albanians need not endure immediate unlawful attacks without defending themselves. They may defend themselves and others robustly against such attacks. Self-defence serves to repel violence; it does not justify retaliation. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” — Exodus 21:23–25. This biblical passage stands here as an admonition against impunity: the suffering of the victims must not be without consequences. The perpetrators, and those who order, enable or knowingly cover up abuse, must face the Albanian population’s exercise of self-defence, as well as an independent investigation and prosecution in accordance with the rule of law. Rama bears responsibility for his security apparatus. He cannot claim its power while disclaiming responsibility for its conduct. Europe’s governments must also act: They must demand protection for those affected, support independent investigations and insist on political accountability. Human dignity must not be sacrificed to diplomatic expediency. Rama must resign immediately. Albania needs a peaceful democratic transition and free elections under credible, internationally verifiable conditions. Enough violence. Enough repression. Citizens are not subjects. Albania’s future belongs to them. Linked posts: facebook.com/share/v/1DNaRVA… facebook.com/share/r/17ga8dE…