The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) expresses its solidarity with students and young people in Albania who have taken to the streets to demand accountability, an end to corruption, and the right to quality education and a dignified future.
Following more than 140 days of protests against corruption and government policies, the demonstrations have entered a new phase, with university students taking a prominent role and high school students increasingly joining the mobilisation. Their demands reflect concerns about the quality and affordability of education, and the limited opportunities available to youth.
The escalating police brutality against protesters in Albania is deeply concerning. Hospital reports confirm that minors have been among those injured during the demonstrations, with some protesters requiring treatment. Among the most disturbing incidents is the case of a 19-year-old protester who was violently assaulted by police, with video footage showing him being dragged while appearing unconscious and with a broken leg. Such violence against young people exercising their fundamental rights is unacceptable and demands accountability. The right to peaceful assembly must be protected, not met with intimidation or excessive force.
Equally alarming is footage showing police officers using pepper spray and striking protesters and worshippers on the steps of a mosque. In a separate incident, police officers attempted to enter a church where protesters had sought refuge, but were stopped by the nuns present. These incidents raise serious concerns about the safety of protesters and worshippers and the protection of places of worship. Religious spaces must be respected and protected, and violence against those present must not be tolerated.
FEMYSO calls on the Albanian authorities to end the excessive use of force, ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators, and initiate independent and transparent investigations into incidents of police brutality. Those responsible for unlawful conduct must be held accountable. The authorities must also address students’ demands concerning corruption, educational conditions and opportunities for youth, while upholding the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
Across Europe, students and young people are mobilising in response to different challenges. In Greece, students are protesting the rising costs of education and accommodation, while in Spain young people are demanding solutions to the housing crisis. While their demands and circumstances differ, their right to express their concerns and advocate for change must be respected.
Students must not be met with violence when demanding a better future. FEMYSO stands in solidarity with students and young people in Albania and across Europe, calling for their rights, dignity and safety to be protected and their demands for accountability and meaningful change to be taken seriously.
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Notes
- FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation of 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 European countries, working to empower European Muslim youth and contribute to a more inclusive, cohesive, and just Europe.
- For more information or media requests, please contact: media@femyso.org