TIRANA, Feb. 3 – The ongoing conflict between residents of several areas of Tirana and the local government over the demolition of homes for redevelopment has led tens of protesters to march to the offices of the US and EU embassies in Tirana to seek help.
They have also been holding protests at the redevelopment sites and in front of parliament for days.
The protesters say their property is not being compensated properly by authorities.
The Municipality of Tirana has several infrastructure projects going, which means hundreds of families must relocate.
The latest clashes are in the new Riverside District, or 5 Maji Street area, but they affect other areas well – suburbs like Paskuqan, Lapraka and New Ring.
The central and local governments claim the compensation is “more than fair.”
Because many of the homes in the area were built during Albania’s chaotic transition from communism to democracy, they were constructed without the proper permits, which allows authorities to tear them down offering little or no compensation.
Moreover, human rights experts note that the redevelopment conflict has led to police using force to deal with evictions and protesters, including the use of tear gas and physically dragging residents away while bulldozers tear down homes filled with personal belongings because the residents say they have nowhere to move.
Albania’s Ombudsman has expressed great concern over the authorities heavy-handed tactics and condemned authorities for not providing clear and quick answers to the institution as required by law.
The protesters were also joined by several opposition MPs in their march.
