Dialogue, Not Violence, is the Way to Resolve Conflicts

Tirana, March 16, 2006

The Albanian Helsinki Committee, through television reports, followed with great concern and profound regred the violent and shameful event in front of the Parliament’s entrance between the Republican Guard and opposition MPs.

Without going at all into the details that provoked this event, the AHC denounces the actions of stopping opposition MPs from entering Parliament’s premises. They are legitimate representatives of the people and enjoy parliamentary immunity.

The AHC is aware of the disciplinary measure that the Assembly’s Bureau decided on MP Petro Koçi, suspending him for 15 days from the proceedings of parliamentary sessions. However, such a measure does not also imply stopping him from freely entering the Assembly’s premises.

According to the last paragraph of item 2 of article 66 in the Assembly’s Regulations, if MP Petro Koçi would attempt to enter the plennary session hall or commission halls, the measure that was taken on him could be doubled.

The AHC considers it necessary to also emphasize that according to article 122 of the Assembly’s Regulations, security service staff in the Assembly, outside the plennary session hall, may only act in conformity with rules defined by the Assembly’s Bureau.

The AHC calls upon the Assembly and especially its leading officials to undertake respective measures so that events of this kind, which seriously tarnish the image of the Assembly inside and outside the country, will not be repeated.

The AHC is confident that conflicts can only be resolved through dialogue and tolerance, in keeping with the Constitution, laws, and the Assembly Regulations.