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OSCE Presence calls on government and opposition to draw lessons from 7 February events in Tirana
TIRANA 9 February 2004
TIRANA, 9 February 2004 - The OSCE Presence in Albania deplores the situation that occurred on Saturday, when peaceful anti-government demonstrations by opposition parties spun out of control for a period of time.
"The right to protest in a democracy is guaranteed and protected, but this right also carries with it a number of responsibilities, including avoiding the use of violence and violent provocations," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.
He commended Members of Parliament of the Democratic Party for their efforts to try to defuse the situation.
The Presence notes that Albanian law outlines the appropriate use of force available to the security structures of the state for maintaining public order and protecting state institutions. A number of means of deterrence can be employed to prevent the escalation of violence. The use of firearms is only a last resort.
The Presence expects that both the government and the opposition see their own responsibilities in Saturday's events and draw lessons from them. The rule of law should be respected by all sides. The Presence encourages the security forces to be firm in carrying out their duties in the future, but to avoid using excessive force. The Presence also stresses the importance of settling disputes through the parliamentary process rather than on the streets.
"The right to protest in a democracy is guaranteed and protected, but this right also carries with it a number of responsibilities, including avoiding the use of violence and violent provocations," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.
He commended Members of Parliament of the Democratic Party for their efforts to try to defuse the situation.
The Presence notes that Albanian law outlines the appropriate use of force available to the security structures of the state for maintaining public order and protecting state institutions. A number of means of deterrence can be employed to prevent the escalation of violence. The use of firearms is only a last resort.
The Presence expects that both the government and the opposition see their own responsibilities in Saturday's events and draw lessons from them. The rule of law should be respected by all sides. The Presence encourages the security forces to be firm in carrying out their duties in the future, but to avoid using excessive force. The Presence also stresses the importance of settling disputes through the parliamentary process rather than on the streets.