The amendment of the Protected Areas Law has sparked intense debate and culminated in mass protests, highlighting what critics describe as a complete lack of transparency from state institutions.
Speaking on a television program, ornithology expert Besjana Shehu explained that the process began at the end of the year when a group of ten opposition MPs launched an initiative to revise the existing law, which they considered overly restrictive. The move eventually led to legislative changes that have since been heavily criticized by civil society organizations.
“We were together at that time, and it was around the end of the year, during the Christmas period, which may have diverted public attention. The initiative was launched by a group of opposition MPs who wanted to review the Protected Areas Law and make changes they believed were necessary to loosen or dismantle what they viewed as a very strict law.
They succeeded in making those changes, and together we discussed the situation we are facing today. We anticipated that we would reach this point—not necessarily a revolution, but certainly a direct challenge to the integrity of protected areas.
We attended every public hearing and every meeting with the Economic Activities Committee and other institutions. The entire national community, civil society organizations, and even the international community were involved and monitoring the process. The European Commission was also paying close attention to whether the legal procedures for amending the law were being properly followed.
As far as I remember, these meetings were taking place every week without public notice and without making the necessary materials and information available to civil society or interested groups that wanted to understand what was happening and what specific changes were being proposed.
For us, there was a complete lack of information. Everything was happening in the dark. We were outraged and determined at the time, and we did not stop there. Although the law was ultimately changed, legal challenges were pursued through the Constitutional Court. While we cannot say we won, neither can we say we lost, given the 4–4 ruling, which was effectively a strategic outcome.
I see this as positive and ultimately beneficial for protected areas. I also see the determination of our country’s leader, the Prime Minister, to continue moving forward, but I also recognize the spirit and energy of this protest—positive, peaceful, creative, and almost inspiring. Importantly, the protest has not escalated in a negative way,” Shehu said.
The controversy surrounding the Protected Areas Law continues to fuel public debate, with environmental activists and citizens demanding greater transparency and stronger safeguards for Albania’s natural heritage.
