Dozens people blocked in the neutral zone between the Albanian-Greek border

USPA NEWS - There are 25 Albanian citizens blocked in the neutral zone between the Albanian and Greek borders, waiting for more than 24 hours to enter our country.

They are not allowed to cross due to travel restrictions taken by both respective governments because of the coronavirus outbreak.

There are 25 Albanian citizens blocked in the neutral zone between the Albanian and Greek borders, waiting for more than 24 hours to enter our country. They are not allowed to cross due to travel restrictions taken by both respective governments because of the coronavirus outbreak. 17 other Albanians were sent with urgency at the Bilisht hospital when their health deteriorated after standing for several hours in the open, under very low temperatures and without proper food. The Albanian President, Ilir Meta, and the opposition leader, Lulzim Basha, appealed to the government to resolve this situation as soon as possible. The Albanian Helsinki committee also reacted through a press release, in which they invite authorities to find a quick solution and allow these citizens to go to their homes. “The Albanian Helsinki Committee appeals Albanian authorities to find a swift and urgent solution to this situation. These citizens have stayed for hours in the neutral zone, without the minimum living conditions. This is putting their lives and their health at risk and is making them go through inhumane and degrading conditions. "These citizens are returning after finishing their seasonal jobs in Greece. Therefore, any criminal prosecution or arrest for illegal border crossing would be unacceptable. The Helsinki Committee recommends the authorities to take a humane and non-punitive approach to this category of people, who took their actions for survival reasons, in a time when their freedom of movement was limited in a non-proportional way. It is impossible for them to afford their stay in the neighboring country“, says Albanian Helsinki Committee.