Demonstration(s) organized by the Democratic Party (DP) in Durres on or around 3 December 2000; treatment of DP supporters by police and authorities [ALB38374.E]

No mention of a rally, demonstration or protest on or around 3 December 2000 in Durres could be found in the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, there are numerous reports of demonstrations organized by the Democratic Party (DP) in late 2000 in response to what they alleged to be widespread election fraud and voting irregularities in the local elections of 1 and 15 October 2000 (OSCE 11 Dec. 2000; AI 21 Dec. 2000; ibid. Mar. 2001; Keesings Oct. 2000, 43807; ATA 17 Nov. 2000; ibid. 29 Nov. 2000; ibid. 15 Nov. 2000; ibid. 29 Oct. 2000).

Without specifying where, Amnesty International (AI) writes that the DP "staged daily protest demonstrations from November on, during which public buildings and police officers were sometimes attacked" (Mar. 2001). Some of those suspected of organizing the demonstrations or inciting violent acts during the protests were detained (ibid.; ATA 29 Nov. 2000; ibid. 29 Oct. 2000). According to Amnesty International, allegations of ill-treatment, including torture, during arrest or in detention were made (21 Dec. 2000). Information to corroborate this report could not be found within the time constraints of this Response.

According to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which oversaw the observer mission of Albania's October elections, there was "substantial evidence that serious irregularities during the aggregation process took place in Durres constituency" but notes that the DP "chose not to seek redress in Court" (11 Dec. 2000). The Chair of the DP stated that it would not recognize the election results in several cities, including Durres, due to "vast manipulations" (ATA 5 Oct. 2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [Tirana, in English]. 29 November 2000. "Tirana Police Detain Four PD Activists for 'Inciting Violent Acts' During Party Rallies." (FBIS-EEU-2000-1129 29 Nov. 2000/WNC)

_____. 17 November 2000. "Albania's PD Leadership to Discuss Future Protest Strategy 18 November." (FBIS-EEU-200-1117 17 Nov. 2000/WNC)

_____. 15 November 2000. "Tirana PoclieDetail 68 Protesters for Using Violence at PD Ralley." (FBIS-EEU-200-1115 15 Nov. 2000/WNC)

_____. 29 October 2000. "One Killed in 'Provocative Incidents Against Police' at PD Rally in Lac." (FBIS-EEU-200-1029 29 Oct. 2000/WNC)

_____. 5 October 2000. "Berisha Says Exlusoin of 800 000 Votes From List is 'Main Manipulation'." (FBIS-EEU-200-1005 5 Oct. 2000/WNC)

Amnesty International (AI). March 2001. "Concerns in Europe: July to December 2000." http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/EUR010012001?OpenDocument&of=COUNTRIES\ALBANIA [Accessed 11 Jan. 2002]

_____. 21 December 2000. "A Disturbing Pattern of Disregard for Basic Human Rights." (NEXIS)

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights [Warsaw]. 11 December 2000. Republic of Albania: Local Government Elections, 1 and 15 October 2000. Final Report. http://www.osce.org/odihr/documents/reports/election_reports/al/alb00-1-final.php3 [Accessed 11 Jan. 2002]

Keesings Record of World Events [Cambridge]. October 2000. "Albania: Peaceful Local Elections."

Additional Sources Consulted


IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Internet Sites including:

Albanian News and Information Network (Nov. 2000 - Jan. 2001 weekly archives)

Country Reports

Democratic Party of Albania

Human Rights Watch

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Albanian Helsinki Committee