14 January 1994. In Shkodër, a few days earlier hundreds of citizens had gone out and held protests against the government because it had ordered the army depots to be opened. Nothing. Life in the city had continued calmly. Then in the afternoon several trucks from the Shkodër police arrived, some others from Tirana, and more full of civilians. No one knew where they were being taken. Only when it began to get dark and several shots were heard did people start to worry. A little later, it became clear that a massacre was taking place. Several police officers, with automatic weapons, fired on the crowd. Arben Broci, Bujar Bishanaku, Besnik Ceka and Nazmi Kryeziu were left dead. Dozens of others were wounded. The city of Shkodër rose to its feet. Angry people gathered in front of the prefecture, in front of the police, in front of the PD committee. The state was silent. The government was silent. But the pain of revolt did not die down. In the chamber of Albanian politics, where everything is mixed up with the calculations of power, these dead and wounded are not asking for revenge. They are asking for justice. And justice cannot be achieved with statements, nor with propaganda, nor with changes of words. It requires a full investigation, it requires responsibility, it requires names. Today, as months pass since that black day, no one can hide the truth. Not with commissions, not with excuses, not with silence. The 2 April massacre in Shkodër remains an open wound for the whole country. It has entered people’s conscience as a symbol of state violence and the arbitrariness of power. How can it be accepted that the victims are declared guilty? How can one remain silent when shed blood demands an answer? No, this is not a story to be forgotten. It is a test for the state, for justice, for Albanian politics. In this political chamber, where everyone seeks to save themselves, the families of the victims are left only with the hope that the truth will come out. And that one day, before the law, there will stand those who gave the order, those who fired, those who remained silent. Justice is not revenge. Justice is the duty of the state toward its citizens. And for 2 April, Albania still owes this duty to the dead and wounded of Shkodër.

APPEAL of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania On the extraordinary course of the steering committee of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania For the sake of everyone’s peace of mind, we decided to leave the person responsible in peace and let him get on with his work. This is proven by the decisions of the National Assembly of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania, dated 11.4.1994. These decisions were made in violation of the statutes and against the Confederation and are therefore invalid. They were taken without the presence of the presidium of the steering committee and without proper notice to the member organizations. In support of the statute and previous decisions, we call on all unions, federations and members of the Confederation to preserve organizational unity, not to fall victim to divisive actions, and to demand the convening of a regular, representative and lawful assembly. The Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania has played an important role in defending the economic and social interests of workers. For this reason, it cannot be turned into an instrument of personal ambitions, political impositions or arbitrary decisions. We call on all trade union structures in districts and workplaces to speak clearly in favor of preserving the unity of the Confederation, respecting statutory norms and resolving disagreements democratically. Only in this way can workers’ rights be protected and the degradation of the trade union movement in Albania be avoided.

Representatives of 105 families threaten a hunger strike The Association of Former Prisoners and Politically Persecuted Persons in Macedonia has protested strongly against the violence and repression exercised against Albanians. In a statement, this association denounces the inhuman actions of the police forces and state structures, which are aimed at striking the Albanian national element, frightening the population and eliminating freedom fighters. According to the statement, dozens of families have been placed under pressure, repeated searches, arbitrary arrests and direct threats have been carried out. Representatives of 105 affected families have warned that they will begin a hunger strike if these actions are not stopped and if measures are not taken to guarantee fundamental human rights. The statement emphasizes that the climate of police terror is weighing heavily on the lives of Albanians in Macedonia and that the silence of international actors is encouraging this repression. The association calls on European institutions, human rights organizations and the international public to react firmly. Such actions, the statement concludes, will not be able to extinguish the ideal of freedom and equality, but will only strengthen the determination of those who fight for national and human dignity.

PS meeting in Korçë Luan Haxhireaj declares: Representatives of the Socialist Party held a meeting with its structures in Korçë, where they discussed the political, economic and social situation in the country and the organization’s tasks for the period ahead. In his speech, Luan Haxhireaj stressed that the Socialist Party is determined to defend the interests of the vulnerable strata and to work for the building of a lawful, democratic and social state. He underlined that the PS guarantees equal opportunities for all Albanians, regardless of political beliefs, region or social affiliation. During the meeting, unemployment, poverty, people being laid off, and the need for an economic program that encourages production, supports the countryside and ensures social protection for families hit by the transition were discussed. Those present expressed concern about the rise in political tension and the use of the state administration in the service of party interests. They called for strengthening the organization, expanding ties with the people and preparing for future political battles. In conclusion, it was emphasized that the PS must be a real governing alternative and the voice of all citizens who seek justice, work and dignity.

In an unlawful act on the part of law enforcement officers, the citizen Ismaili was severely abused in Milot. According to testimony collected from residents and relatives, he was detained without a clear motive and then brutally beaten in police premises. The incident has caused outrage in local opinion, while family members are demanding a full investigation and that the perpetrators be held accountable. According to them, the case is not isolated and shows the climate of abuse of power that is spreading within law enforcement structures. Residents of the area say that citizen Ismaili is known as a peaceful and honest man and that there was no reason whatsoever for such treatment. They are demanding that the competent authorities intervene immediately to stop police violence and guarantee citizens’ rights.

The UN Secretary-General, Boutros Ghali, has declared that NATO must be ready to carry out air strikes if serious violations continue in Bosnia. He stressed that the humanitarian and military situation remains extremely grave and that the international community can no longer remain passive in the face of attacks on civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. According to Ghali, the use of air power should remain a means of pressure to prevent the conflict from escalating and to impose compliance with international resolutions. His statement comes at a time when fighting in the former Yugoslavia continues with intensity and when pressure is increasing on international bodies to act more decisively.

A news service from Moscow reports that Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev strongly opposed the statement by the NATO Secretary-General that the alliance should be ready to strike Serbian targets in Bosnia. According to him, such a move would be counterproductive and would complicate efforts to achieve a political solution to the conflict.