THE APPROVAL OF THE LAW ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS RANKS ALBANIA AMONG COUNTRIES WITH SOME OF THE MOST ADVANCED LEGISLATION THE COMMUNIST-SOCIALIST “AGAINST” VOTE: COMPLETE PROOF OF THE PS-PAD ALLIANCE, AND OF THE FACT THAT THEY ARE THE BASTARD AND ANTI-NATIONAL OFFSPRING OF THE PPSH, OF THE IDEOLOGY AND THE RED DICTATORSHIP WE GAVE THE OPPOSITION A CHANCE FOR CONSENSUS AND UNDERSTANDING, BUT IT DID NOT ACCEPT IT, BECAUSE IT IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE SUCCESS OF REFORMS IN ALBANIA Albanians have not forgotten the socialist parties’ grand electoral promises concerning human rights and freedoms, but also constitutional development. These promises were presented as a fundamental change from the positions of yesterday’s PPSH. However, the vote against showed that rhetoric did not turn into political will. This vote clearly places the communist-socialist force on the side opposing democratic reforms, at a moment when the country needs modern standards for the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights. Albania thus enters a new stage of democratic legality. In the parliamentary debate, consensus was requested, but the opposition did not accept it. According to the majority, this shows that it is not interested in the success of reforms in Albania, but in blocking them for political reasons. The approval of this charter is seen as a historic victory for democratic Albania and as a major step toward European human rights standards.

Deputies of the majority declared that the draft was the result of long work and that a real opportunity for understanding had been offered. They stressed that the opposition preferred political boycott and confrontational rhetoric. According to them, the refusal of consensus was not related to the content of the articles, but to the desire not to allow the majority to record a political success in the constitutional and legislative sphere. In the speeches delivered during the session, it was said that historical responsibility requires courageous decisions and not endless delay. Albania, it was emphasized, cannot remain hostage to ideological nostalgia.

The debate was marked by harsh political tones. Representatives of the majority considered the opposition’s position proof of its ties to the legacy of the PPSH and to the old culture of denying political freedoms. In this context, the approval of the law was presented as a dividing line between the past and the future, between the authoritarian order and the rule of law. The law was described as a cornerstone for building democratic institutions, for guaranteeing freedom of speech, organization, belief, and the legal security of citizens.

THE ALBANIAN ASSEMBLY ON THE DRAFT LAW “ON FREEDOM AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF MAN” PRONOUNCES ITSELF EVOLUTIONARILY OF ALBANIAN HISTORY AND OXFTERASHE[?] THE ALBANIAN ASSEMBLY ON THE DRAFT LAW “ON FREEDOM AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF MAN” PRONOUNCES ITSELF EVOLUTIONARILY OF ALBANIAN HISTORY AND OXFTERASHE[?] - Article 1: “The Albanian Assembly decided to further deepen the democratic process in the country.” - Article 2: “... with the aim of building a truly democratic society, where the people freely express their will through the fundamental freedoms and rights of man.” - Article 3: “The new Constitution will be the basis of this process.” - Article 4: “Albania has the duty to respect universal human rights.” - Article 5: “Political, social, economic, cultural, and religious discrimination shall not be allowed.”

What was the Italian ambassador doing? Mr. Paolo Foresti What was the Italian ambassador doing? Of the Italian embassy? TIRANË, Mr. PAOLO FORESTI

ENGLISH: KOHA JONË / Our Time Independent daily newspaper, informative, modern. Thursday, 1 April 1993. Price 5 lekë. The Albanian parliament at 02:21 finally approves the draft law “On Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”, described as a historic victory for democratic Albania. The approval of the law ranks Albania among countries with more advanced legislation. The “against” vote of the communist-socialists is presented as proof of their alliance and of continuity with the PPSH and the red dictatorship. The newspaper says the opposition was given a chance for consensus but did not accept it because it is not interested in the success of reforms in Albania. Read on page 4: visit of the Italian ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Paolo Foresti. ITALIANO: KOHA JONË / Il nostro tempo Giornale quotidiano indipendente, informativo, moderno. Giovedì 1 aprile 1993. Prezzo 5 lekë. Il parlamento albanese alle 02:21 approva finalmente il disegno di legge “Sui diritti dell’uomo e le libertà fondamentali”, descritto come una vittoria storica per l’Albania democratica. L’approvazione della legge colloca l’Albania tra i paesi con una legislazione più avanzata. Il voto “contro” dei comunisti-socialisti viene presentato come prova della loro alleanza e della continuità con la PPSH e la dittatura rossa. Il giornale afferma che all’opposizione è stata data una possibilità di consenso ma non l’ha accettata perché non è interessata al successo delle riforme in Albania. Leggete a pagina 4: visita dell’ambasciatore italiano a Tirana, sig. Paolo Foresti.