Civil society criticizes the Parliament's decision to reject SPAK's request for Balluk

2026-03-12 17:43:00, Aktualitet CNA

Civil society criticizes the Parliament's decision to reject SPAK's

Ten civil society organizations have expressed their concern following the decision of the Albanian Parliament to reject SPAK's request for the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

In a joint statement, the organizations described the “Balluku” case as a test for the functioning of democratic institutions, respect for equality before the law, and the credibility of justice reform. They emphasized that parliamentary immunity cannot and should not be used to avoid the implementation of security measures during a criminal trial.

The organizations also called for the judiciary to continue its work independently, without being influenced by political pressures, noting that the fight against corruption remains a key condition for Albania's integration into the European Union.

The signatories of the declaration include the Albanian Helsinki Committee, Albanian Woman in Audiovisual, Albanian Center for Economic Research, SCIDEV, Civic Center, IDM, ISP, CRCA, Together for Life and the Albanian Institute of Science.

Civil Society Declaration

Our group of civil society organizations expresses concern about today's decision of the Parliament of Albania not to approve the request of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime to limit the immunity of MP Belinda Balluku.

This issue has been at the center of public debate for more than three months, accompanied by noticeable delays on the part of the Assembly in contrast to previous precedents, becoming an important test for the functioning of democratic institutions, for the implementation of the principle of equality before the law, and for the credibility of justice reform.

Today's decision comes at a moment when the expectations of the Albanian public are clear: citizens expect that any suspicion of criminal offenses, especially at the highest levels of government, be investigated swiftly, without hindrance and impartially by justice institutions, in respect of the principle that all are equal before the law.

In this context, civil society organizations emphasize that parliamentary immunity cannot and should not serve as a shield against the implementation of security measures in the context of a criminal process. It is designed to guarantee the freedom of speech and vote of the MP, and not to prevent the justice system from conducting a full, comprehensive and efficient investigation of suspicions related to the commission of criminal offenses.

The principle of equality before the law requires that every public official, regardless of political function, be open to judicial review.

Effective prosecution of corruption, including high-level cases, is a necessary condition for Albania's progress in the European Union integration process.

Civil society organizations recall that Albania's European integration process is directly linked to the functioning of the rule of law and to citizens' trust that justice operates without double standards. Any institutional obstacle to justice delays the path towards the EU.

We call on institutions to:

a. to guarantee that any investigative process and the measures necessary during it can be carried out without institutional obstacles;

b. to avoid any political interpretation of justice processes that grant judicial attributes to the Assembly in excess of the principle of separation and balance of powers;

c. to strengthen standards of transparency and accountability in public life.

We ask the judicial bodies to continue their work with determination and professionalism, proving that their independence is inviolable by the will of political majorities.

The Albanian public expects institutions to prove that no one is above the law and that justice reform remains an irreversible process on the country's European path.

Civil society remains engaged in monitoring this process and in defending the principles of the rule of law, demanding that justice be equal for all, regardless of political power or position.

Signatories

1. Albanian Helsinki Committee (AKH)

2. Albanian Woman in Audiovisual (AWA)

3. Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER)

4. Science and Innovation Center for Development (SCIDEV)

5. Civic Center

6. Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)

7. Institute for Political Studies (ISP)

8. Center for the Protection of Children's Rights in Albania (CRCA)

9. Together for Life

10. Albanian Institute of Science (AIS).../ CNA