|
Open Letter
To:
Mr. Servet Pėllumbi
Speaker of the Albanian Parliament
Mr. Teodor Laēo
Chairman of the Parliamentary Democrat Liberal Group
Mr. Uran Metko
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Ballit Kombėtar
Mr. Preē Zogaj
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Alliance for Democracy
Mr. Fatmir Mediu
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Republican Party
Mr. Eqerem Spahiu
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Legality Movement
Mr. Ndue Preka
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group “ The Greens” “Tė Gjelbėrit”
Mr. Ligoraq Karamelo
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Liberal Democratic Center
Mr. Gaqo Apostoli
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Social Democratic Party
Mr. Nard Ndoka
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Democrat Party
Mr. Bamir Topi
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party
Mr. Gramoz Ruēi
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party
Tirana, May 17, 2004
This is the second time that our organizations address to you Mr. Speaker of the Parliament and to you gentlemen, members of the parliament, chairmen of the parliamentary groups about a problem that is still distressing. It is about the language of hatred and the most ordinary insults, and the most monstrous accusations that are used in the
parliamentary hearings. Under these conditions it is pointless to talk about the observance of the principle of innocence presumption because even parliamentary ethics is absent.
Honourable Parliamentarians:
Democratic pluralism expressed also in the proceedings of the parliamentary sessions means loyal and constructive fight, disclosing alternatives aiming at the intensification of the democratic processes and the integration of our country in the European family. We are aware that the parliamentary debates in some cases can go together with
nervousness or lack of self-control, but not to that extent as to make all the listeners especially children who we owe a lot and whose education is of primary concern, feel offended and have a low opinion of you. The younger generation has high expectations from You, the Representatives of the people. We must nourish more confidence in them about a better democratic future.
In a democratic country the role of the position as well as of the opposition is well accepted, but these two forces are considered as political opponents and not as hostile groupings. The heavy mutual charges that you use are of great social dangerousness, so numerous and all-inclusive that the common people who attend
the parliamentary sessions they can not make out who is the fair guy and the corrupt guy, who is the innocent and who is the criminal.
We regretfully let you know that in the meetings with citizens from different strata of population, despite their political faith, their party fondness and affiliations, they have voiced their concern and indignation about the language used in the parliament about the indecent behaviour of the parliamentarians.
It is true that the Parliament is considered as the temple of democracy and parliamentarism. We would like the same to be true in practice as well, but from what we see and hear, this is still a far-away objective. The duties of the representatives of the people, as it is known, are such as with their own attitudes and
behaviour everywhere and especially in the supreme legislative body, influence positively the education of people with respect for law and institutions. The truth, although a bitter one is that this doesn’t happen.
Not long ago it was discussed about the need to adopt a law related to parliamentary code of conduct. We welcomed this initiative and we would like that this adoption influence the holding of the balanced and civilized parliamentary hearings, although we don’t believe that the cause of this situation is the lack of
law.
We are witnesses that the number of the participants in the voting in the recent elections was relatively low. This is an indicator that seeks reflections on the part of our political class. The truth is that there have been oscillations in the confidence of the people towards You. This situation is more intensified by the
upset parliamentary situation, the coarse language used as well as the disregard of the public opinion that doesn’t accept this situation.
In press releases and conferences there is made mention of the need of improving the image of Albania. But your extremely politicised parliamentary sessions, as well as the lack of political will to hold a dialogue do not contribute to the improvement of this image, on the contrary they distort it.
In conclusion we would like the content of this letter be considered as a concern of the civil society that is directly interested in an active and civil parliamentary process, about a dialogue between the political forces, a thing that would contribute to the stability of the country, the fair and quick solution of the problems that concern us
as well as the confrontation of the challenges towards European integration.
The people monitor. The voters take down notes and react buy means of their votes. You face the test. It would be perfect that our concern and that of other organizations be taken with due consideration.
Non-Profit Organizations – drafters of this open letter:
albanian helsinki committee
albanian group of human rights
albanian center for human rights
Society for democratic culture
Society of the albanian constitutionalists
Center for Parliamentary studies
|
