Reports of protesters being struck in the chest and other vulnerable areas prompt calls for an independent investigation into Albania’s use of force during escalating student demonstrations.
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TIRANA, Albania — October 17, 2026
The reported use of rubber bullets by Albania’s State Police against student protesters in Tirana has raised serious concerns over the use of force, the protection of human rights and the authorities’ responsibility to safeguard demonstrators during public assemblies.
Reports from the ongoing demonstrations indicate that protesters were struck in the chest, legs and other parts of the body. Such incidents warrant an immediate and impartial investigation, particularly where injuries may have resulted from projectiles fired at close range or directed towards vulnerable areas.
According to reporting by Kosovo-based outlet Koha.net, police fired rubber bullets at demonstrators gathered outside Albania’s Ministry of Education on Saturday, October 17. The outlet reported that one protester was hit in the chest and another in the leg.
The reported deployment of rubber bullets marks a significant escalation in the police response to demonstrations that have increasingly brought students and other young Albanians into confrontation with the authorities.
UN guidelines place strict limits on rubber bullets
The United Nations’ Guidance on Less-Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement, published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2020, sets out strict conditions for the use of kinetic-impact projectiles, commonly known as rubber or plastic bullets.
Under the guidance, these weapons should generally be used only through direct fire against a violent individual, with the aim of striking the lower abdomen or legs, and only to address an imminent threat of injury to a law enforcement officer or member of the public.
The guidance also warns that targeting the torso can damage vital organs, while strikes to the head or face can cause skull fractures, brain injuries, permanent blindness and even death.
These standards are particularly relevant when police are managing demonstrations involving large numbers of people. The presence of disorder within a crowd does not automatically justify indiscriminate force against everyone present. Any use of force must be assessed in light of the specific circumstances, the threat posed and the applicable requirements of necessity and proportionality.
Footage and police conduct require scrutiny
Footage published by Albanian media outlet Syri has reportedly shown protesters being struck in the chest, neck and other vulnerable areas. These images should be examined alongside medical records, eyewitness accounts and any available police recordings to establish precisely what happened.
The allegations raise several questions that the authorities should address publicly:
- Who authorised the deployment of rubber bullets? Investigators should establish the chain of command and the circumstances in which the weapons were introduced.
- What type of ammunition was used? Police should identify the weapons and projectiles deployed, including the relevant safety instructions and operational procedures.
- From what distance were the shots fired? The distance, angle and manner of firing are important when assessing the risk of serious injury and whether established rules were followed.
- Were the targets posing an imminent threat? Investigators should distinguish between individuals engaged in violence and peaceful demonstrators or bystanders.
- Were medical assistance and accountability procedures provided? Any injured protesters should have access to appropriate medical care, while evidence should be preserved for an independent assessment.
The footage should not be treated as conclusive proof of every alleged violation on its own. However, credible visual evidence of potentially dangerous targeting provides sufficient grounds to demand a transparent investigation.
Questions over the conduct of senior police officials
The conduct of senior officers during the operation has also attracted criticism.
According to the account provided by Albanian media, Tirana Police Director Oligert Torba ignored questions from a journalist working for the investigative programme Piranjat during the police intervention.
If confirmed, the incident would add to concerns about transparency and the willingness of senior officials to explain decisions made during a major public-order operation.
Police authorities should clarify the operational decisions behind the use of force and explain what safeguards were in place to prevent serious injuries. The investigation should also establish whether officers complied with their instructions and whether any failures in command or supervision occurred.
Student protests reflect wider public frustration
The confrontation comes amid a broader wave of student-led demonstrations against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government.
Reuters reported on October 17 that thousands of young Albanians had taken part in protests demanding Rama’s resignation. The demonstrations have been fuelled by allegations of corruption, concerns over employment prospects and dissatisfaction with the cost and quality of education.
Students have also voiced frustration over limited financial support, social inequality and their prospects of building a future in Albania. Opposition to a proposed luxury tourism development on the southern coast, involving investors connected to Jared Kushner, has become another source of public discontent.
The demonstrations have escalated in recent days, with clashes between some protesters and police. Reuters and other international media have documented the use of tear gas, water cannons and other police tactics during the unrest.
These circumstances underscore the need to assess each incident individually. Violence by protesters must be addressed under the law, but it does not remove the state's obligation to use force lawfully and protect the lives and physical integrity of those taking part in public assemblies.
An independent investigation is essential
Albania’s authorities should ensure that all relevant video recordings, operational orders, ammunition records, witness statements and medical documentation are preserved. Investigators must be able to establish not only whether individual officers acted improperly, but also whether the operation was planned, authorised and supervised in accordance with applicable standards.
The investigation should be independent, impartial and transparent, with its findings made public to the extent permitted by law. Where evidence establishes unlawful conduct, those responsible should face appropriate disciplinary or legal consequences.
The right to peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right. Police have a legitimate responsibility to protect public safety and respond to violence, but their authority is not unlimited.
The decisive question is whether the force used in Tirana was necessary, proportionate and directed at specific threats, or whether protesters were exposed to unjustified risks of serious injury.
That question cannot be answered through official assurances alone. It requires evidence, accountability and a credible investigation that protects both the rights of demonstrators and the public’s confidence in law enforcement.