A Procrastination with Consequences

Tirana, December 6, 2005

The Albanian Helsinki Committee, the Albanian Human Rights Group, and the Albanian Human Rights Center, join the concern of part of Tirana's citizens that they are encountering great difficulties in going through several streets, whose reconstruction has been blocked, such as the Zogu i Zi overpass, Rruga Elbasanit, etc., particularly in the current winter season. As a result, traffic is extremely heavy and could lead to dangerous consequences. It is pitiful that instead of finding a solution for the situation, the spokesman of the Ministry of Transport and the spokesman of Tirana Municipality organize press conferences that make public reciprocal accusations.

Such statements do are of no use in comforting citizens. On the contrary, they produce indignation and anger.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee, the Albanian Human Rights Group, and the Albanian Human Rights Center are of the opinion that the relevant state structures should be transparent in front of citizens. They must be told in a clear-cut manner what has been decided. Whether construction works that have begun will be cancelled, or whether they will be unblocked, and when.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee, the Albanian Human Rights Group, and the Albanian Human Rights Center support attitudes and actions pursuant to a rigorous enforcement of laws and bylaws in force, but in this case, that cannot justify the endless procrastination of the issue. After all, suspension itself is a temporary measure, but even in such cases, consequences must be prevented, or alleviated.

Anybody who violated the law should be held legally accountable, but citizens cannot simply wait until the guilty is found.

Albanian Helsinki Committee

Albanian Human Rights Group

Albanian Human Rights Center