Fines of up to 1,000 euros and criminal liability for protests: Albania is preparing a new law

Albania plans to significantly tighten penalties for violating public order during protests. The country’s government is preparing a bill that would impose fines of up to 1,000 euros for participating in unauthorized gatherings, criminalize individual actions by protesters, and tighten control over posts on social media. Human rights activists are already expressing concerns about possible restrictions on freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

Why Albania decided to tighten legislation

Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama announced a new legislative package after several weeks of mass anti-government protests, which were accompanied by clashes between demonstrators and police.

The head of government called the initiative a set of measures to combat violence and violating public order.

The prime minister blamed the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, for the worsening situation.

In addition, Rama accused representatives of the Antifa movement and foreign players, who, according to him, are interested in preventing Albania’s accession to the European Union, of involvement in the riots.

However, the report does not provide evidence for these accusations.

Participation in protests may result in a fine of 1,000 euros

One of the key provisions of the draft law is the introduction of financial sanctions for violating the established rules for holding mass events.

In particular, fines of 100 to 1,000 euros are provided for participation in an unauthorized assembly and failure to comply with the lawful request of the police to disperse.

Separate penalties are proposed for protesters who hide their faces behind masks.

Law enforcement officers may also receive additional powers to restrict street rallies near certain state institutions.

Calls for violence on social networks will be subject to criminal liability

The bill also concerns the dissemination of information on the Internet.

In particular, the police are planning to be given the right to demand the removal of publications on social networks that contain calls for violence.

In addition, such calls are proposed to be qualified as criminally punishable actions.

Criminal liability may also arise for:

being at the scene of violent actions after police warnings;

organizing gatherings prohibited by a legal decision;

other offenses against public order and security defined by law.

A special electronic registry is planned to be created for persons suspected of criminal offenses against the state, public order and security.

The new rules may even affect schoolchildren

The government has paid special attention to the participation of minors in protest actions.

According to the Prime Minister, schoolchildren are joining the current wave of protests.

In this regard, the government plans to introduce a new code of ethics for teachers.

In addition, the bill provides for mechanisms for compensating small businesses that have suffered losses as a result of the protests.

Human rights activists fear restrictions on freedom of speech

The proposed changes have already caused concern among civil society activists.

The main issues concern the possible restriction of the right to peaceful assembly, the expansion of police powers, and the control of expressions on social networks.

Of particular attention are the provisions on liability for being at the site of protests after warning law enforcement officers.

Critics of the initiative fear that the new mechanisms may affect not only the participants in violent riots, but also the exercise of citizens’ right to protest.