"There is a need for a thorough, impartial and credible investigation into the human rights violations which took place in Tirana on 21 January" said Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg today when publishing a special report following a three-day visit to Albania. He had assessed the human rights aspects of developments during a demonstration at which four demonstrators were shot dead and a number of policemen and demonstrators were injured.
"It is necessary that those responsible for these violent acts be held to account. This is crucial both to establish justice and to prevent violence in connection with demonstrations and political protests in the future", the Commissioner stated.
He welcomed the fact that the major political groupings had told him that the responsibility for the investigations should rest with the Office of the General Prosecutor. However, he regretted that there had been critical public statements against the Prosecutor.
The Commissioner met with the key political and institutional office-holders and was struck by the deep political polarisation in today's Albania. The descriptions of what had actually happened on 21 January differed greatly between the two political blocs.
"The deep political polarisation makes the task of the Office of the General Prosecutor particularly delicate and difficult. It is crucial that everyone avoids interfering in the ongoing investigations and that the relevant authorities, including the police, co-operate fully and promptly with the Office", the Commissioner concluded.
He also noted that technical assistance so far provided by the US authorities to the General Prosecutor's Office appeared to have been of considerable value. He suggested in his report that the international community continues to respond positively to requests for assistance in this context.
During his visit, the Commissioner held meetings with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of the Interior, the Prosecutor General, the Acting Ombudsman, the Commissioner for the Protection against Discrimination and the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection. He also met four leading representatives of the Socialist Party. In addition, he had meetings with a number of Ambassadors present in Albania as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations and media.