On this 28th April, World Occupational Health and Safety Day, promoted by the International Labour Organization ILO, we do not have the luxury of making formal statements.

Because only a few days ago, on the premises of the National Circus, an accident occurred that should never have happened.

During the development of a show, behind the scenes, an iron counterweight fell on a 12-year-old girl’s head.

The juvenile was urgently transported to the University Trauma Hospital and, fortunately, is out of danger for life but continues to be under medical treatment.

This event is not just an accident. This is a direct consequence of lack of real safety standards, institutional negligence, lack of technical control, use of inappropriate environments for circus activity and unclear cooperation with external entities, without guarantee of safety

The fact that the minor does not belong to the structure of the National Circus, but a private studio, aggravates the situation even more and requires full transparency on how these activities are carried out.

The worst offense is institutional silence. So far, it does not appear that the notification of the State Police and the announcement of the State Labor Inspectorate have been made.

This is not just lack of reaction. This is a direct violation of legal obligations. Failure to report an accident with minors in the workplace is unacceptable and raises serious suspicions for attempting to conceal the event.

The Independent Syndicate of Art, Culture and Media of Albania calls on the State Police, the Labor Inspectorate, the Ministry responsible for culture and every responsible institution to intervene immediately for the full investigation of the event, the verification of security conditions in the National Circus and the whitening of institutional responsibilities and individual.

We wish the girl a speedy recovery and ask that this event be treated with maximum seriousness.