ECPMF joins the coalition of civil society organisations, issuing a joint statement expressing deep concern over the public targeting of Kristina Voko, Executive Director of BIRN Albania, by MP Ardit Bido.

The case relates to a hearing held on 8 June in the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media, where civil society organisations discussed the annual reports of independent institutions, including the Audiovisual Media Authority and the Albanian Radio Television. During the hearing, Kristina Voko raised a clear legal concern regarding the obligation of the public broadcaster to provide inclusive information and content, including for national minorities and persons with disabilities.

The statement underlines that presenting this request as a threat to the national interest is inaccurate, dangerous and discriminatory. In a democratic society, no one should be attacked or discredited because of origin, language or ethnic belonging. Using ethnic identity to portray a civil society representative as “foreign” or “against the national interest” is unacceptable.

The organisations also warn that the case takes place in a particularly sensitive context, as citizens, activists, media and civil society organisations are raising concerns about the Zvërnec project and the Vjosa-Narta protected area, as part of the civic mobilisation known as the “Flamingo Revolution”. These concerns relate to environmental protection, transparency, public consultation, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

In this context, the attempt to portray critical voices as “enemies”, “foreign”, or motivated by ethnic belonging shifts attention away from issues of public interest and creates a climate of intimidation against civil society, media and citizens participating in public debate.

The signatory organisations call on MP Ardit Bido to withdraw the post and issue a public apology.

They also call on the Parliament of Albania, the Speaker of Parliament and the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party to clearly distance themselves from any language that targets representatives of civil society, media or citizens on the basis of ethnicity, language, origin or critical opinion.

The organisations also call on the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination to assess the case within the scope of its legal mandate, taking into account the use of ethnic belonging as a tool for targeting, delegitimisation and public lynching by an elected representative.