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10 civil society organizations against Edi Rama, for Balluk's immunity

2026-03-12 16:26:49Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

10 civil society organizations against Edi Rama, for Balluk's immunity

Ten civil society organizations have issued a joint statement expressing concern over today's decision by the Parliament to reject SPAK's request for the arrest of Belinda Balluku.

Civil society organizations described the 'Balluku' case as a test for the functioning of democratic institutions, for the implementation of the principle of equality before the law, and for the credibility of justice reform.

Also in the joint statement, civil society organizations emphasize that parliamentary immunity cannot and should not serve as a shield against the implementation of security measures within the framework of a criminal process.

Stressing that the fight against corruption is a condition for Albania's membership in the EU, civil society organizations have demanded that justice continue its work, unaffected by political pressures.

Statement by civil society organizations on the Assembly's decision on Balluk's immunity:

Our group of civil society organizations expresses concern about today's decision of the Parliament of Albania not to approve the request of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime to limit the immunity of MP Belinda Balluku.

This issue has been at the center of public debate for more than three months, accompanied by noticeable delays on the part of the Assembly in contrast to previous precedents, becoming an important test for the functioning of democratic institutions, for the implementation of the principle of equality before the law, and for the credibility of justice reform.

Today's decision comes at a moment when the expectations of the Albanian public are clear: citizens expect that any suspicion of criminal offenses, especially at the highest levels of government, be investigated swiftly, without hindrance and impartially by justice institutions, in respect of the principle that all are equal before the law.

In this context, civil society organizations emphasize that parliamentary immunity cannot and should not serve as a shield against the implementation of security measures in the context of a criminal process. It is designed to guarantee the freedom of speech and vote of the MP, and not to prevent the justice system from conducting a full, comprehensive and efficient investigation of suspicions related to the commission of criminal offenses.

The principle of equality before the law requires that every public official, regardless of political function, be open to judicial review.

Effective prosecution of corruption, including high-level cases, is a necessary condition for Albania's progress in the European Union integration process.

Civil society organizations recall that Albania's European integration process is directly linked to the functioning of the rule of law and to citizens' trust that justice operates without double standards. Any institutional obstacle to justice delays the path towards the EU.

We call on institutions to:

a. to guarantee that any investigative process and the measures necessary during it can be carried out without institutional obstacles;

b. to avoid any political interpretation of justice processes that grant judicial attributes to the Assembly in excess of the principle of separation and balance of powers;

c. to strengthen standards of transparency and accountability in public life.

We ask the judicial bodies to continue their work with determination and professionalism, proving that their independence is inviolable by the will of political majorities.

The Albanian public expects institutions to prove that no one is above the law and that justice reform remains an irreversible process on the country's European path.

Civil society remains engaged in monitoring this process and in defending the principles of the rule of law, demanding that justice be equal for all, regardless of political power or position.

Signatories

1. Albanian Helsinki Committee (AKH)

2. Albanian Woman in Audiovisual (AWA)

3. Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER)

4. Science and Innovation Center for Development (SCIDEV)

5. Civic Center

6. Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)

7. Institute for Political Studies (ISP)

8. Center for the Protection of Children's Rights in Albania (CRCA)

9. Together for Life

10. Albanian Institute of Science (AIS)


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