About 25 Albanian citizens are trapped on neutral ground between the Albanian-Greek border for more than 24 hours waiting to cross into Albanian territory. Their blockade comes as a result of measures taken by the respective governments of the two countries to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
17 other Albanian citizens were sent urgently to the hospital of Bilisht due to their aggravated weather conditions due to low temperatures and staying for a long time without eating. The head of state, Ilir Meta, as well as the leader of the opposition, Lulzim Basha, have appealed to the government to immediately resolve this difficult situation.
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has also reacted to this situation. In a statement to the media, the Committee called on state authorities to find a solution as soon as possible for citizens stranded at border crossings to return to their homes.
"AHC calls on the Albanian authorities to find a quick and urgent solution to this situation. The stay of these citizens in the neutral zone for hours and without the minimum living conditions endangers their lives and health and subjugates these citizens to the elements of inhuman and degrading treatment. Also, in the conditions created when many of these citizens are returning due to the completion of seasonal work in neighboring countries, it is unacceptable to prosecute them or arrest them for illegal border crossing (referring to media sources). AHC recommends to the authorities a humane and non-punitive approach to this category of persons, who have acted in conditions when their freedom of movement is disproportionately restricted and in conditions to guarantee survival, as they cannot afford to stay and live in neighbors countries,” it is said, among other things, in the appeal of AHC.
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| Albanians trapped in Kapshtica being heated in a makeshift fire pit. |
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has also reacted to this situation. In a statement to the media, the Committee called on state authorities to find a solution as soon as possible for citizens stranded at border crossings to return to their homes.
"AHC calls on the Albanian authorities to find a quick and urgent solution to this situation. The stay of these citizens in the neutral zone for hours and without the minimum living conditions endangers their lives and health and subjugates these citizens to the elements of inhuman and degrading treatment. Also, in the conditions created when many of these citizens are returning due to the completion of seasonal work in neighboring countries, it is unacceptable to prosecute them or arrest them for illegal border crossing (referring to media sources). AHC recommends to the authorities a humane and non-punitive approach to this category of persons, who have acted in conditions when their freedom of movement is disproportionately restricted and in conditions to guarantee survival, as they cannot afford to stay and live in neighbors countries,” it is said, among other things, in the appeal of AHC.