Democratic Europe reacts strongly against the violation of human rights and political freedoms - “NANO’S CASE” in the attention of international forums: IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF FATOS NANO — A NECESSARY CONDITION FOR ALBANIA TO BE ACCEPTED INTO THE FAMILY OF CIVILIZED NATIONS - Democratic Europe reacts strongly against the violation of human rights and political freedoms -

The Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva follows the “NANO CASE” with attention, and calls for the problem to take a positive turn, so that it is not forced to postpone the matter to the Paris meeting as well EXCERPT FROM THE DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION ON THE NANO CASE On Monday evening, the Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, after analyzing the documents submitted concerning the case, expressed its own determination [?] of the truth of the matter according to which it must ensure the Albanian parliament, regarding its wish to be informed; officially of which are the reasons that have in- spired [?] this case; as well as whether the trial un- dertaken will have an administrative character, to condemn through parliamentary proceedings, which may lead to the suspension of the mandate of Deputy Fatos Nano and the minister or members of the cabinet [?]. As the committee assesses it, Albania is at the end of a difficult process of democratization, and for this reason the Albanian institutions are called upon to provide fair and legal responses. The committee notes the importance of this case not only for the personal fate of Fatos Nano, but also for the country’s international image. Secretary General PIERRE CORNILLON of the Inter-Parliamentary Union

Committee for the Protection of Journalists, New York, USA calls for the immediate release of journalists (Continues on page 2) Disturbing because of police terror, - said the deputy general secretary of the party, Comrade Shaban Memia, at the meeting with the young people of the “Qemal Stafa” school- (CPD) writes in a statement that on Monday before dawn, the police launched an attack against the opposition newspaper “Rilindja Demokratike”, as well as the private homes of several independent journalists. (Continues on page 2)

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 00143 COMMITTEE ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PARLIAMENTARIANS Case nr. ALB/01 - FATOS NANO - ALBANIA Extract from the decisions adopted by the Committee at its session held in Geneva on 4 February 1991 and approved by the Inter- Parliamentary Council at its 148th session (Paris, 5 February 1991) ... Recalling that, according to the government, the decision to arrest parliamentarian Fatos Nano was taken following an accusation of “forgery and abuse of office”, and that Parliament on 3 February 1991 refused by 93 votes to 47 to suspend his parliamentary immunity, Considering that the Committee has before it allegations that Mr. Nano’s arrest was politically inspired and in retaliation for his public criticisms of the government’s economic policy and his calls for democratic reform, Considering also the fact that the case has aroused great public concern and that it may therefore affect the image of Albania internationally, 1. Decides to ask the competent Albanian authorities to provide all relevant information on Mr. Nano’s legal situation and on the charges against him as soon as possible; 2. Believes it is important that the Albanian authorities be guided by the legal considerations and respect for due process and the right of defence, and trusts that they will act in full conformity with the country’s declared democratic aspirations; 3. Requests the Secretary General to convey this decision to the Speaker of Parliament and to the Albanian delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union. The Secretary General Pierre Cornillon