Statement
KRIIK Albania is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization, which’s mission is defense and guarantee of human rights, through strengthening rule of law, democratic governance, and encouraging full responsibility, transparency and accountability of public and political institutions.
KRIIK Albania, in cooperation with or in the frame of the Coalition of Domestic Observers (CDO), as one of the founding and leading organizations of CDO, has followed in continuity the development of political, institutional and legislative processes that effect, directly or indirectly, the integrity of electoral processes and progress of democratic processes.
In line with this engagement, KRIIK has followed closely and attentively the political and institutional situation in the country, especially since the crisis of spring 2017, crisis that has marked as its extension and product, the unprecedented and extraordinary situation in which the country is presently.
State building efforts and major reforms being carried out constitute, undoubtedly, a direct contribution of the two major political parties and of their leaders, as does the new proactive approach in political and institutional communication, since 2013. However, the latter did never reach the status of open and inclusive dialogue and communication, based on strong democratic and state building principles and detached from narrow and closed agreements.
Harsh and conflictual political discourse used by the main political leaders and unilateral and radical alternatives offered to solve the crisis by the leaders of the two main parties, Socialist Party and Democratic Party, not only lack strong democratic values and principles, but hinder other approaches and do not leave space for solutions.
In a situation in which the spirit of democratic and constitutional principles of Albanians, as expressed in the Constitution, has been questioned, the parliamentary and executive powers have turned into a unilateral political power, and the judiciary is under deep reformation and partly non-functional, continuing this pattern of behavior not only damages greatly the state building project, but can also lead to deep division and wide conflicts in the society.
Latest reports of international institutions, especially that on the situation of human rights and the Narcotics Control Strategy Report of the State Department, emphasize the serious situation and big problems that the fragile Albanian democracy and institutions must face.
It is time that the Albanian political class, especially the Socialist Party and the Democratic Party, engage seriously and with maturity and take upon the responsibilities that belong to them. This situation is both their direct merit and responsibility, especially of the leaders of the parties. The 27-year long transition, cyclical political crisis and shortsighted solutions that lack vision must end.
Mainly the majority and the opposition, but also the whole political class and elites of the country must take upon themselves the needed responsibilities in front of the future of the country, by showing European maturity; by starting efforts for building a long-term, visionary, inclusive and based on a system of values that is forged in continuity by free and fair electoral processes that manifest the free and unaffected will of the people, political and institutional development platform; an open and supportive to thought or candidacy political system, with consolidated, transparent and accountable institutions, that depend only on coherent, full and equal law enforcement; a system based on an informed, molded by the principles of democratic culture and that puts above all individual, political and institutional responsibility, morality and integrity, society and that is based upon and trusts an independent clean, unaffected and functional justice system.
The immediate, open and inclusive dialogue between the two leaders, Mr. Edi Rama, head of the Socialist Party and Mr. Lulzim Basha, head of the Democratic Party, to solve the crisis of democratic future of the country is indispensable. This dialogue must, besides ensuring democratic values and freedoms, also manifest the continuation of and unconditional support for the process of reformation of the justice system, other major processes, such as the decriminalization process or the culture of vetting in all segments of society that affects the state building project, as well as uncompromised fight against corruption and organized crime.
Albanian politics and other stakeholders that can impact developments must keep in mind that one of the contributions, with which Albania should express its gratitude toward continuous support received by international partners, especially the United States and the European Union, thus becoming a leader and stability factor in the region and broader, is the incarnation and manifestation in all segments of society of the best values and principles of democratic freedom, by manifesting a functional and vibrant democracy.
Highly appreciating today’s visit of the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of State of the United States, Mr.Matthew Palmer as a golden opportunity coming at the right moment, KRIIK encourages and strongly believes in the maturity and vision of each of the two leaders, Mr. Rama and Mr. Basha, that, though a sincere, transparent and inclusive dialogue will offer the needed and visionary solution for the future democracy of the country.
Tirana, on 08.04.2019