Rights activists criticize police violence in Albania protests

Albanian human rights activists have condemned what they describe as excessive police violence during ongoing protests against a luxury hotel construction project. The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHK) expressed concern over the escalating situation, particularly following violent clashes outside parliament in Tirana where 15 police officers and 25 demonstrators were injured. The AHK stated that isolated acts of violence by a few individuals do not justify the disproportionate use of force by the police.

Activists argue that the protests have largely been peaceful and that isolated incidents should not be attributed to all demonstrators. They reported that police deployed tear gas without warning and struck people on the ground. "This is unacceptable and requires an immediate, independent, and effective investigation," the human rights group declared. The protests, which began in late May, are centered on a planned luxury hotel in the Zvernec nature reserve on the southwest coast, a project reportedly linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner.

The construction project was presented in 2024, and demonstrations intensified when barbed wire and bulldozers appeared on Zvernec beaches. The protests have since evolved into a broader movement addressing issues such as corruption, rising living costs, healthcare problems, low pensions, and a lack of opportunities for young people. Consequently, demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama have become more prominent.

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This is unacceptable and requires an immediate, independent, and effective investigation.