A protest will take place today in front of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure in Tirana following the death of a 67-year-old woman Liliana Sema, who was found frozen in her house in Fier.
Sema was found dead during some of the coldest days in the past year when temperatures plunged to as low as minus 15. Last year, her power was cut off by OSHEE for non-payment.
“The lights went out, I found her frozen. The doctor said she froze from the cold,” her brother told the media.
Another of her sons said she was collecting cans for money as she only had a pension of 7,000 ALL (EUR 57) which was not enough to cover the electricity bills.
OSHEE told the media that her account was disconnected due to debts, and she had made no request to reconnect the service.
The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, Robert Gajda said it is a discriminator not to supply electricity to low-income families.
“Failure to guarantee electricity to economically disadvantaged people and families violates their dignity by denying them the right to health, the right to housing, the right to education, the right to information, the right to be citizens with equal rights. “
He called on OSHEE not to disconnect economically vulnerable citizens.
Today’s protest will take place at 1 pm and is organised by the Albanian Feminist Collective.
