TIRANA, Oct. 15 /ATA/ – The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry and eight business associations on Thursday expressed concern over violence and damage to public and private property during protests in the Albanian capital, calling on the relevant authorities to take concrete steps to ensure public order and safety.
In a joint statement, the organisations condemned attacks on public institutions, banks, shopping centres, buildings and business representative offices.
The signatories included the Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH), Albanian Manufacturing, the Builders Association, the Albanian Tourism Association, the Dairy Processing Industry Association (IPQ), the Albanian Food Industry Association, the Medicinal Plants Association and the Association of Professional Businesswomen and Craftswomen.
They stressed that peaceful protest was a fundamental right that state institutions must guarantee, while violence, arson and destruction of property were unacceptable.
The organisations warned that property damage affected not only businesses but also their employees, customers and the wider urban economy.
The chamber and the business associations called on the State Police and relevant institutions to take preventive measures, ensure an adequate presence in vulnerable areas and intervene promptly to prevent violence and destruction.
At the same time, they said police operations must be professional, proportionate and lawful, while safeguarding peaceful protesters, members of the public, business employees and police officers.
Those responsible for violent acts, they added, should be identified and held individually accountable, without collectively blaming citizens who exercise their right to protest peacefully.
The organisations also urged protest organisers and political parties to clearly distance themselves from violence, call for calm and help preserve the peaceful nature of demonstrations.
They called for all damage to be fully documented and for authorities to establish direct communication with affected businesses to facilitate reporting, investigations and the relevant legal procedures. The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was ready to work with institutions to identify business concerns and strengthen protective measures.
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