US lawmakers urge Albania to halt police violence during protests

United States lawmakers have expressed concern regarding recent protests and civil unrest in Albania, calling on the Albanian government to respect the right to peaceful assembly and prevent the excessive use of police force.

Senator Elissa Slotkin urged authorities to uphold the rule of law and take concrete steps to combat corruption. She noted receiving numerous calls from concerned citizens in Michigan regarding the developments in Albania and other European nations. Slotkin emphasized that the situation should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful means.

Congressmen Ritchie Torres and Mike Lawler also issued statements. Torres described the reported police actions against protesters as “unacceptable” and called for an immediate end to the violence. Lawler, noting communications from Albanian-American constituents in New York, stressed that democratic governments, particularly NATO members, must guarantee freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.