We Stand with the Protest and the Students
Tirana, 14 October 2026
We, LIDHJA MBARËSHQIPTARE (Pan-Albanian League), born of the civic spirit of the protest, express our full support for the constitutional right of citizens, students and young people to assemble, protest and call for change.
The protest has clearly articulated its demands: the departure of Rama and Berisha from political life, a full investigation, transparency, legal accountability, and the recovery of unlawfully acquired assets for the public benefit. These demands form the core of the civic cause.
We stand alongside students and citizens, not only in Tirana but wherever this spirit of protest and demand for justice takes hold. The strength of the protest has been its civic, peaceful and resolute character; this is not a weakness, but a source of moral strength.
The images we have seen are shocking: protesters with broken legs, dragged along the ground while unconscious, and citizens struck and humiliated by those who should have maintained public order without violating human dignity. This horrific police violence has been incited and organised, and one person bears responsibility: Prime Minister Edi Rama. Just as during the protest of 21 January under the Berisha government, state violence against citizens today cannot be justified, downplayed or concealed behind a police uniform.
We condemn all forms of disproportionate violence, provocation or abuse of state power against protesters, and we call for a transparent investigation and legal and political accountability for every act of violence.
At the same time, precisely because the cause is just, it must be protected from any action that could be used against protesters or misinterpreted as an escalation.
The right to protest is protected by international human rights standards, including Article 21 of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Any use of force by the authorities must be strictly necessary and proportionate.
We will continue to stand alongside the protest, students and young people until the political and civic demands are met, including the departure of Rama and Berisha from political life and the fulfilment of the demands announced by the protest.
LIDHJA MBARËSHQIPTARE
PAN-ALBANIAN LEAGUE