MJAFT! Visit in London

MJAFT! THE YOUNG REVOLUTION OF ALBANIA:
The Daunting Task of Shaking Up Civic Apathy

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During a 3-day visit to London, leaders of ‘MJAFT! Movement' and MJAFT! London Club had a series of meetings with British Members of Parliament, representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as well as a Public Lecture at the London School of Economics.

On the 27th April, Erion Veliaj and Arbi Mazniku from MJAFT! Movement in Tirana and Ralf Gjoni , Ela Hoxha, Orsida Gjebrea and Alban Bytyqi from the MJAFT! London Club met with Mr. Bob Laxton and Mr. John Grogan from the All-Party Albania Group at the Houses of Commons. At the request of the British MP's, there was a briefing on the latest developments in Albania. Erion Veliaj, the Executive Director of MJAFT! explained that since the new government has taken power, Albania is risking passing from an irresponsible and corrupted governance ot an autocratic one, which is showing signs of priority given to political interests over the rule of law and individual rights. Veliaj emphasized the fact that despite the political mistakes, Albania seems determined in ensuring its future firmly in Europe, therefore he asked the British Parlamentarians to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement as soon as it is signed. Mr. Laxton and Mr. Grogan asked for more information on the freedom of media and showed interest on the future of MJAFT! in the socio-political life of Albania. Furthermore, the activists of the MJAFT! London Club asked the MP's to help in the creation of a pro-Albanian lobby in the British parliament with the purpose of helping them improve the image of Albania in the UK. This request was warmly welcomed.

On Friday 28th April, MJAFT! Activists met with high officials from the Balkans Department at the Foreign Office to discuss about the latest developments in Albania. The main issues of concern were the SAA, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the firing of several officials in the public administration, the freedom of the media and the latest conflict between PM Berisha and General Prosecutor Sollaku. Arbjan Mazniku asked for the SAA to be signed as soon as possible, since the challenge of European integration belongs to the Albanian people rather than their politicians. MJAFT! Activists added that the necessary fight against corruption and crime should not threaten the rights and constitutional freedoms of the Albanian citizens. Moreover, MJAFT! Expressed concerns about the latest moves in the public administration as well as recent attempts to change the law on media and television. The meeting ended with the expression of support from the Foreign Office to the MJAFT! Movement and its work in the development and protection of democracy in Albania.

On Friday evening at 19:00, Erion Veliaj gave a public lecture at the London School of Economics titled: ‘MJAFT! The Young Revolution of Albania – The daunting task of shaking up civic apathy'. This evening was organized by MJAFT! London Club, LSE Albanian Society and the Albanian Student Association sponzored by Alban Travel. After a short documentary about the 3 years of activism by the movement, Erion Veliaj gave a presentation on the activities and purpose of MJAFT! Movement. It was clear from the numerous questions that there was huge interest among the participants on how MJAFT! views the present political life in Albania and Kosovo.

MJAFT! London Club would like to thank the All-Party Albania Group at the Houses of Commons and the Balkans Department at the Foreign Office for the support shown towards the objectives and work of MJAFT! in order to counter autocracy while encouraging the institutional development of the Albanian democracy. We would also like to extend our gratitude to ‘Alban Travel' for sponzoring this trip as well as the ‘LSE Albanian Society' and ‘Albanian Student Society' for co-organizing the public lecture at LSE, ‘Shoqata Skëndërbeu' for filming the event and ‘Bar KOHA' for their usual hospitality. Many thanks to all the participants who continually support our cause of improving the image of Albania in the world.