Following the detention and expulsion from Serbia on January 22, 2025, of 14 activists and civil society representatives, including two colleagues from Albania—Edlira Lilaj from HELP Organization and Gazmir Memaj from the Mary Ward Loreto Foundation—we express our deep concern and strongly condemn this unacceptable act, which gravely undermines democratic values, fundamental rights, and freedom of movement. This action, labelled as a ‘security threat,’ is unjustifiable and lacks any foundation in democratic or legal standards.

We commend the response of Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, which held a meeting with the Serbian Ambassador in Albania, calling for a review of this decision and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Moving forward, we encourage the Ministry to prioritize this matter, swiftly pursue an official response from the Serbian government, and issue a diplomatic note to guarantee that such actions are not repeated.

Such events serve as a ringing bell for the European Union and the integration process of candidate countries, highlighting that respect for fundamental rights and European standards remains a significant challenge in the region. The lack of progress in these areas not only jeopardizes membership aspirations but also threatens the democratic future and stability of these countries.

These incidents signal a concerning decline in democratic standards and emphasize the urgent need for stronger engagement from the EU and its institutions to clearly link progress toward membership with the protection of civic space and human rights. This is essential to ensure a democratic and unified future for the entire region.

Civil society is the backbone of a functioning democracy. Incidents like this harm the democratic space and regional and European cooperation, undermining our collective efforts for a fairer and freer society.

We stand in full solidarity with our colleagues. Our collective support is vital to protecting democratic space and creating a safe environment for all activists.

Find below the Statement and the supporting organizations