Broad consultation on Communist collaboration legislation needed, urges head of OSCE Presence in Albania
TIRANA, 18 July 2008 - The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Robert Bosch, urged Albanian legislators today to allow sufficient time for consultation on proposed legislation concerning collaborators with the former Communist regime, while emphasizing the importance of resolving this issue and meeting the country's international obligations.
"The OSCE Presence would like to reiterate its position that all legislation of significant importance to the public, especially when it is likely to create controversy, should be passed in such a manner as to allow sufficient time for consultation with experts, interest groups and the general public. In addition, time should be allowed for vigorous debate in the Assembly," said Ambassador Bosch.
He noted that Albania has committed itself to adopting legislation only after undergoing a sufficiently public procedure. He also drew attention to the need to ensure that any law adopted must apply the procedural means of a democratic state based on the rule of law.
The Assembly has scheduled a vote on a draft law on lustration of public figures on 21 July, before its summer recess.
Ambassador Bosch noted that several drafts have been in the Assembly for many months without their details having been subject to serious discussion, either in parliament or by the general public, and that the current schedule does not appear to allow time for such a discussion.
He also expressed concern that the issue would not be definitely resolved if a broad consensus was not reached - and that continuous re-opening of the matter in future would be harmful to the development of Albania.
The OSCE Presence in Albania stands ready to assist the Albanian authorities on this matter, in line with its mandate, added Ambassador Bosch.