'Digital Lightning': Edi Rama's targeting of protesters raises concerns

Prime Minister Edi Rama has published in recent days photographs and personal information about activists and participants in the anti-government protests, which have been taking place for 31 days in Tirana.

In his posts on social media, Rama has published photographs of protesters in "negative" format, accompanied by comments and information about their personal lives, including references to court cases.

Lawyers and human rights activists told BIRN that this practice could be interpreted as an attempt to intimidate citizens who express opposition to the government.

Erida Skëndaj, executive director of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, said that the Prime Minister's posts go beyond the boundaries of legitimate criticism.

"Even publicly visible data, such as that of a protest taking place in public spaces, when collected, profiled and republished to create a negative portrait of the individual, enters the realm of private life and, consequently, violates it," said Skëndaj.

She emphasized that the protection of personal data is guaranteed by Article 35 of the Constitution and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

According to her, publicly labeling protesters as bullies shifts the debate from ideas to the person.

"When this is carried out by state officials, a profound asymmetry is created, as in a state of law the standard of tolerance towards citizens is different from that required of public figures," said Skëndaj.

For a month, Tirana and other cities in Albania have been gripped by massive protests against the government and political class, now known as the “Flamingo Revolution,” demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The socialist leader has described the protesters as manipulated by social media algorithms and hybrid warfare by malign states and commercial interests.

Gentian Sejrani, a lawyer and human rights activist, also argued that this approach could violate not only the right to protest, but also the right of citizens not to be exposed to bullying due to their political beliefs.

“Morally, the Prime Minister is encouraging his supporters to insult and bully anyone who thinks differently,” said Sejrani, adding that the language used by politicians directly affects the level of polarization in society.

According to him, the role of a prime minister should be to promote dialogue and respect in public debate, not to encourage divisive language.

There were also reactions from the opposition. Democratic Party MP Jorida Tabaku described Rama's posts as part of a "persecution campaign" against protesting citizens.

In a post on social media, Tabaku wrote that the Prime Minister "collects biographies, looks for 'spots' in their lives, attacks family members and publicly exposes them as shooting targets", while describing the posts as "digital call sheets".

Skëndaj said that the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression protect not only the act of protest, but also participants from unjust consequences due to the exercise of these rights.

"When the highest representative of the executive branch singles out protesters and places them against a public labeling backdrop, highlighting their activity on social media, personal past, or court cases, the perception of a symbolic punishment of dissent is created," she said.

According to Skëndaj, public officials must respond to criticism through transparency and accountability, while the state has a positive obligation to protect and facilitate peaceful protest, not to create conditions that discourage participation.

In this context, the Albanian Helsinki Committee and other civil society organizations have addressed an official request to the General Directorate of the State Police, requesting information on the procedures followed against several protesters.

"We have requested information and institutional verification of cases related to the peaceful protest, including detentions by anti-terror structures without clear identification and without reasonable doubt, interrogations without clarifying the procedural status and without providing a copy of the statement, as well as criminal proceedings initiated for participation in the protest," Skëndaj concluded. Reporter.al