THE ARTISTÈ FOUNDATION/ PUBLIC STATEMENT

The Artistè Foundation in Canada expresses its serious concern regarding the recent protests in Albania and reports of alleged police violence, the treatment of demonstrators, and potential violations of fundamental human rights.

As an organization committed to human dignity, equality, and the protection of fundamental freedoms, we stand in solidarity with all individuals exercising their right to peaceful protest and calling for accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law.

Recent demonstrations in Tirana and some other cities in Albania have been marked by escalating tensions, clashes between protesters and police, reports of injuries, and excessive use of force. The United Nations in Albania expressed concern on October 16, 2026, over the violence and increasing tensions, reaffirming the importance of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. The European Commission likewise emphasized on October 18 that freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental rights and that responses to violence must remain lawful and proportionate.

These developments demand careful scrutiny, independent oversight, and a renewed commitment to protecting the fundamental rights of every person in Albania.

The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of every democratic society. It enables citizens to express their concerns, challenge decisions made by public authorities, demand institutional accountability, and participate meaningfully in public life.

The Artistè Foundation emphasizes that individuals must be able to exercise their rights without fear of intimidation, arbitrary detention, unlawful retaliation, or disproportionate use of force.

Albania is a party to international treaties and organizations that establish clear commitments to protecting human rights, democratic freedoms, and the rule of law.

Albania acceded to the ICCPR on October 4, 1991. Under Article 21, the right to peaceful assembly must be recognized, and any restrictions must satisfy the conditions established by the Covenant. Article 19 protects freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Article 7 prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. These provisions establish important safeguards for individuals participating in public demonstrations and for those reporting on them.

Albania ratified the European Convention on Human Rights in 1996. Article 11 protects freedom of peaceful assembly and association, while Article 10 safeguards freedom of expression. Article 3 prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and Article 5 protects the right to liberty and security. These guarantees are binding on Albania under the Convention, subject to the applicable legal standards and circumstances of each case.

Albania has participated in the OSCE since 1992. Its commitments include respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic governance, and the rule of law. These principles reinforce the responsibility of public institutions to protect civic participation and ensure that law enforcement operates within established legal safeguards.

Albania is an EU candidate country. Respect for fundamental rights, democratic institutions, judicial independence, and the rule of law are central to the European integration process. Progress toward EU membership must go hand in hand with the practical protection of the rights and freedoms of all people in Albania.

The Artistè Foundation is particularly concerned by reports of alleged excessive police force and injuries sustained during the recent demonstrations.

On October 13, 2026, Albania’s Ombudsman announced that it had initiated an investigation into the use of police force during a protest, including an assessment of necessity and proportionality under the European Convention on Human Rights. The Ombudsman’s office also reported monitoring detention facilities and checking whether detainees’ procedural safeguards were being respected.

We welcome independent oversight and emphasize that investigations must be thorough, impartial, and transparent, with appropriate follow-up where misconduct is established.

We call on the relevant authorities to:

Accountability must apply equally to everyone. Neither a public position nor an individual’s participation in a demonstration should place anyone above the law or outside its protection.

The Artistè Foundation calls on the Government of Albania, the State Police, independent oversight institutions, and all relevant public authorities to take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and protect fundamental freedoms.

Albania’s democratic future depends on public trust, institutional accountability, freedom of expression, and the equal protection of every person’s rights.

Citizens must be able to raise concerns about governance, education, corruption, public policy, and other matters of public interest without fear of unlawful retaliation. Equally, public institutions must be able to maintain public order in a manner consistent with human rights and the rule of law.

The international commitments Albania has undertaken carry a responsibility to uphold these principles in practice. Where violations occur, they must be investigated. Where misconduct is established, accountability must follow. Where grievances exist, meaningful dialogue and lawful democratic processes must provide a path forward.

The Artistè Foundation stands in support of the people of Albania in their pursuit of dignity, justice, equality, and democratic freedoms. Our position is grounded not in political allegiance, but in the universal principles of human rights and the conviction that every individual deserves equal protection under the law.

The Artistè Foundation 
Official Public Statement
Canada | October 19, 2026