Albania's Parliament opened its plenary session with a minute of silence to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the tragedy of the Cham Albanians, honoring the victims of the events of 1944–1945, during which thousands of ethnic Albanians from the Chameria region were killed or forcibly displaced.
During the commemorative session, lawmakers reflected on one of the most sensitive historical issues in Albanian-Greek relations. According to the speakers, the events resulted in mass killings, sexual violence, property confiscations, and the forced expulsion of around 30,000 Cham Albanians, leaving what they described as an unresolved historical wound.
PDIU MP Mesila Doda called on the Albanian government to place the Cham issue at the center of discussions with the Greek authorities.
"It is the government's duty to raise this issue of human rights at every summit and meeting with Greece," Doda said. She also urged Athens to abolish the wartime law, describing it as "an archaic law and a historical relic that continues to threaten our bilateral relations with the ghost of a war from the last century."
Socialist Party MP Ardit Bido argued that the current government has already taken steps in this direction, stating that Prime Minister Edi Rama has repeatedly raised the Cham issue directly with Greek officials in Athens.
According to Bido, the Socialist Party was the first governing force to include the Cham issue in its governing program and has addressed it at the highest levels of state representation.
Meanwhile, Ilirjan Idrizaj, head of the Chameria Association, said the issue should no longer remain a victim of silence and called for greater national unity in defending what he described as Albania's national interest.
"Today, more than ever, Albania needs a strong and united voice that stands up for itself and serves the best interests of the Cham issue and the national interest," Idrizaj said.
The parliamentary commemoration also marked the return of PDIU leader Shpëtim Idrizi to the Parliament building, despite failing to secure a parliamentary seat in Albania's most recent general election.
The Cham issue remains one of the most complex and sensitive topics in relations between Albania and Greece, with differing historical and legal interpretations continuing to shape political debate in both countries.