THE ATTITUDE TOWARD FATOS NANO IS AN INDICATION OF THE STATE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE OPPOSITION
The release of the opposition leader from prison is a guarantee for the respect and safeguarding of fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as the political freedoms of the opposition.
Interview with Mr. Pëllumb Xhufi, member of the KPD of the PSSH and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics.
Ps, the chances that the Albanian crisis will be resolved by peaceful means depend first and foremost on the current government. If you want, Albania today needs the opposition more than ever. The situation the country is going through is making it increasingly necessary to have a strong opposition that can coordinate civic discontent and revolts with responsible political action. Such an opposition has been absent, and continues to be absent, from democratic processes in Albania. I believe that the Albanian opposition today, represented mainly by the PS, is regaining all the attributes of a serious and responsible opposition. This is a good thing, indeed a very good thing for Albania.
At the beginning of this year, when the arrest of four former senior Socialist leaders took place, various analysts inside and outside the country predicted this as an ill omen for the course of democratic processes in Albania. The arrest of the four former senior leaders of the Socialist government harmed the political process of pluralist democracy in Albania.
The opposition’s stance at that time was quite measured and institutional. The opposition stated that the question of the guilt or innocence of the senior Socialist officials belonged solely to justice. But the opposition demanded, and still demands, that the investigation and trial be conducted impartially, free from any political prejudice and away from any pressure or manipulation. The opposition also demanded that legal norms and judicial procedures be respected, as they provide for and protect the rights of citizens, even if they are high state officials.
The arrest of Fatos Nano and the continuation of his pre-trial detention beyond the legal deadlines clearly violate not only Albanian law but also international human rights standards. The Nano case has now become a decisive test for measuring the sincerity of the current power in its relationship with the opposition.
On the other hand, the arrest and imprisonment of the opposition leader cannot but have a negative effect on the country’s political climate. Such an action burdens political life, encourages mistrust and unnecessary clashes, and moves the country away from European standards of democracy.
Question: How do you assess the Albanian state’s attitude toward the opposition under the current conditions?
Answer: I think that the attitude toward the opposition and, in particular, toward its leader, Fatos Nano, is a meaningful indicator of the way the Albanian state conceives political pluralism. If the political freedoms of the opposition are violated, then democracy itself is damaged.
Question: What do you expect from Albanian institutions in this matter?
Answer: First, respect for the law. Second, a renunciation of the political use of justice. Third, the creation of a normal political climate in which the opposition can exercise its constitutional role. The release of Fatos Nano would be a positive signal for domestic and international public opinion.
Question: Do you think the opposition is better prepared now than before?
Answer: Yes, the opposition is gaining political maturity and responsibility. It is understanding that confronting power is not done through momentary emotions, but through alternatives, organization, and civic support. Albania needs a strong opposition to help bring about the true democratization of political life.
(Translation EN: THE ATTITUDE TOWARD FATOS NANO IS AN INDICATION OF THE STATE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE OPPOSITION. The release of the opposition leader from prison is a guarantee for respecting and guaranteeing the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual and the political freedoms of the opposition. Interview with Mr. Pëllumb Xhufi, member of the KPD of the PSSH and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics.)
(Traduzione IT: L'ATTEGGIAMENTO VERSO FATOS NANO È L'INDICAZIONE DELL'ATTEGGIAMENTO DELLO STATO VERSO L'OPPOSIZIONE. La liberazione del leader dell'opposizione dal carcere è una garanzia per il rispetto e la tutela dei diritti e delle libertà fondamentali dell'uomo e delle libertà politiche dell'opposizione. Intervista con il sig. Pëllumb Xhufi, membro del KPD del PSSH e docente presso la Facoltà di Economia.)