The Albanian Ombudsman, Erinda Ballanca has criticised the actions of the police in removing protestors from Skanderbeg Square. She said it is disproportionate and in violation of the Constitution, and the law.
Ballanca said that despite the country being in a state of disaster with limited rights, the restrictions must be proportionate. While the right of assembly is limited, as long as distances are respected, there is no need to prevent them.
She stressed that the government has a duty to guarantee the right of assembly and if this right is restricted, they must prove that the measures they took were the most appropriate. Ballanca added that the lack of a Constitutional Court has made it impossible to review the restrictive measures implemented by the government.
Protestors were forcibly removed from Skanderbeg Square on two occasions when they were protesting against “authoritarian” measures taken by the government. Injuries were sustained by some and video footage was published of the police using what appears to be excessive force.
