Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome Albania’s Pledge to Combat Corruption, Raise Issues Concerning Sex-Selective Abortions and Blood Feuds
The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the third periodic report of Albania on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with Committee Experts commending the State’s 2023 pledge to combat corruption, and raising issues concerning sex-selective abortions and blood feuds.
A Committee Expert welcomed that the State party had in 2023 issued a pledge to the United Nations to prioritise the prevention and promotion of corruption. How was the anti-corruption strategy implemented, and how many high-level officials had been prosecuted for crimes of corruption?
One Expert said selective abortion seemed to be deep-rooted in Albanian society. How was the State party preventing this practice? Would the State’s draft law on sexual and reproductive health ban sex-selective abortions?
Another Committee Expert said more than 700 Albanian families were reportedly involved in blood feuds. What measures were in place to eradicate blood feuds and investigate revenge killings, apply appropriate sanctions to perpetrators, and provide redress to victims?
Vasilika Hysi, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, in opening remarks, said Albania was committed to preventing and combatting corruption and strengthening judicial efficiency. New anti-corruption institutions were fully operational, and the number of personnel and the budget of the institutions had increased. During the period 2020-2023, 43 high-level officials were investigated for corruption and 32 cases were sent to the court.
The delegation added that the State party had started working on its five commitments made to the United Nations to combat corruption. Its deadline for implementing these was 2027.
The draft law on sexual and reproductive health was currently being assessed by the Government, in consultation with civil society, the delegation said. Sex-selective abortion was prohibited under State law. Health care providers received gender-sensitive training to discourage such abortions, and regional awareness raising campaigns were also being carried out to prevent the practice. The ratio of male to female births was currently 107 males to 100 females.
On blood feuds, the delegation said police were working with other institutions to prevent the practice, which was punished with up to life imprisonment. In 2023, there were three homicides connected with blood feuds, and none in 2024.
In concluding remarks, Ms. Hysi thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue, in which the delegation had presented positive developments in the State party since the last review. The Committee’s recommendations would help the State party to implement the fundamental rights enshrined in the Covenant.
Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, said the dialogue had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of civil and political rights in Albania. Despite the progress made by the State, challenges remained. Mr. Soh expressed hope that the Committee’s concluding observations would help the State party to improve the implementation of the Covenant.
The delegation of Albania was made up of the Deputy Minister of Justice and representatives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Assembly of Albania; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Health and Social Protection; Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation; Ministry of Interior; General Prosecutor's Office; General Directorate of Prisons; Directorate of State Police; State Labor Inspectorate; Committee on National Minorities; Institute of Statistics; and the Permanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-third session is being held from 3 to 28 March 2025. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage. Meeting summary releases can be found here. The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.
The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 26 March to hold an informal meeting with civil society organizations.
Report
The Committee has before it the third periodic report of Albania (CCPR/C/ALB/3).
Presentation of the Report
VASILIKA HYSI, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, said Albania had ratified all United Nations human rights treaties and Council of Europe human rights conventions. Since the submission of the last report, Albania had made significant commitments to ensure that all individuals were able to fully exercise their rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination.
The 2023 amendments of the audiovisual media law and the new broadcasting code for audiovisual media guaranteed equality and non-discrimination based on gender and the right to information and freedom of expression, and increased transparency of media service providers' ownership. The Electoral Code provided voting procedures for persons with disabilities, and in 2024, the Code was amended, guaranteeing for the first time the right to vote for Albanians living abroad. The new 2024 law on personal data protection set out rules for the protection of individuals’ personal data. The 2024 law on electronic governance ensured the freedom and security of individuals in the digital environment. Since the last report, three bylaws related to the protection of national minorities were also adopted.
The budgets of the independent judiciary institutions and the national human rights institutions were increased during the period 2021-2025. From 2020 to 2024, the budget of the People’s Advocate increased by 64 per cent and its staff by 17 per cent, while the budget of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination had increased by 45 per cent. The number of recommendations issued by these bodies that were implemented increased during the period 2021-2024, and the number of court cases against their decisions decreased in 2024.
Albania was committed to preventing and combatting corruption and strengthening judicial efficiency. New anti-corruption institutions were fully operational, and the number of personnel and the budget of the institutions had increased. During the period 2020-2023, 43 high-level officials were investigated for corruption and 32 cases were sent to the court. The new cross-sector justice strategy 2024-2030 outlined comprehensive measures to prevent and combat corruption within the judiciary.
Albania had a solid strategic framework to tackle discrimination, enabling equal access to services. The new national action plan 2021-2025 for equality, inclusion and participation of Roma and Egyptians in Albania foresaw measures for the integration of Roma and Egyptians in fields such as employment, housing, education and health. Access to civil registration and to legal aid had improved for both Roma and Egyptian minorities, and concrete measures had been taken to prevent statelessness and to ensure access to birth registration for these groups. The case of “Faslliu and Rexha” that was presented to the Human Rights Committee in February 2018 was solved in 2019, following the amendment of the law on civil status.
The 2022 law on the national register of convicted sexual crimes aimed to prevent harassment, violence, abuse or sexual exploitation of all individuals. The State had established a national registry of convicted sexual criminals, the Observatory of Femicide, and gender responsive budgeting. The national strategy for gender equality 2021-2030 included a strategic goal on the reduction of all forms of harmful practices, gender-based violence and domestic violence. According to official data, since 2022, there had been no marriages of children under the age of 18. The State provided universal care to all women in need of abortions or family planning, and legislation was being developed that would promote sexual and reproductive health in the country.
The new cross-sector justice for children strategy 2022–2026 and its action plan, approved in 2022, outlined Albania's commitment to strengthen the juvenile justice system. Arrest was assessed as a measure of last resort for minors in conflict with the law. In 2024, alternatives to detention were applied for 64 per cent of minor offenders and only 36 per cent were sent to the court.
Overcrowding in the prison system had been effectively eliminated through a series of measures, including the opening of a new prison in Pojska, the amnesty law, and improved distribution and accommodation of prisoners.
The Albanian Criminal Code criminalised all forms of slavery and human trafficking. The cross-sector strategy for the protection of crime victims 2024-2030 and its action plan ensured a high degree of protection for the victims of all forms of exploitation, including trafficking and labour exploitation.
The new national strategy for migration 2024-2030, along with its action plan, sought to strengthen the international protection system and guarantee the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. The infrastructure for receiving, accommodating and interviewing migrants and asylum seekers had been upgraded to meet international standards. Albanian authorities received ongoing support and training to enhance their abilities to manage and assess international protection requests.
The cross-sector justice strategy 2024–2030 outlined several measures to strengthen the independence, efficiency and accessibility of the judicial system. Measures had been implemented to strengthen the free legal aid system, including expanding its accessibility nationwide, increasing the number of legal aid providers, and enhancing the quality of services offered. Across the country, 20 primary legal aid centres and 12 legal clinics offered free legal aid.
The National Agenda for Children’s Rights 2021-2026 foresaw measures for comprehensive and friendly services for children, respecting and protecting the best interest of the child. Child protection workers had organised awareness-raising meetings to combat the phenomenon of child labour and street begging. Municipalities had compiled databases for children in street situations. Several workshops on child protection in cyberspace for professionals and parents had been organised across various municipalities.
Women’s participation in Albania's Parliament had been significantly improved. The Speaker of the Assembly of Albania was a woman. In 2023, women's participation rate in the Assembly was 35.7 per cent and 10 ministers were women. At the local government level, women held 13 per cent of mayor positions and made up 49.6 per cent of the total number of councillors in Municipal Councils.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said that in February 2023, the State party implemented judicial reform that reduced the number of courts in the State from 34 to 16. How did the State party ensure that this did not make access to justice more expensive? A draft law proposed extending access to legal abortion from 12 to 16 weeks of pregnancy. This was welcome, but there were concerns that it would allow for sex-selective abortions. Would the law ban sex-selective abortions?
Was there a framework in the State party for following up on the Committee’s recommendations and Views? Were the recommendations widely disseminated? Many training programmes for judges and lawyers on the Covenant had been held. Were they compulsory? What awareness raising campaigns on international human rights standards had targeted the public?
The election of a new Ombudsperson had stalled since 2022, and no elections for the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination had been held since the last mandate ended in 2023. How did the State party ensure that these bodies had sufficient resources to fulfil their mandates, and ensure timely follow-up for the recommendations of these bodies? What steps had been taken to initiate the reaccreditation process for these institutions by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions?
Another Committee Expert expressed concern that corruption was prevalent in many areas of public and private life in Albania, including in the judiciary. The Committee welcomed that the State party had in 2023 issued a pledge to the United Nations to prioritise the prevention and promotion of corruption. What impact had special judicial units established to combat corruption had? What measures were in place to ensure that the selection process for judges was free from political influence? How was the anti-corruption strategy implemented? How many high-level officials had been prosecuted for crimes of corruption?
The Committee was concerned by continued discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, the Roma and persons with disabilities. Could the delegation provide data on discrimination cases heard over the reporting period? Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws had been enacted; how would they be implemented? What were the results of the previous national strategies for the Roma and the Decade of Roma Inclusion, and what resources were dedicated to these measures? What was the State party’s reaction to repetitive negative statements by politicians against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons?
One Committee Expert asked about measures to investigate killings and injuries of civilians in protests held outside the Prime Minister’s office in 2011. Two law enforcement officers had been found guilty of negligent manslaughter and sentenced to one- and three-years imprisonment, respectively. What measures were in place to finalise investigations into these events and to provide reparations to victims and their family members?
It had been more than 30 years since the fall of the dictatorship in Albania in which, reportedly, more than 6,000 persons went missing and tens of thousands of victims suffered imprisonment, torture, execution and enforced disappearance allegedly perpetrated by the then-powerful intelligence service “the Segurami”. Family members of victims still struggled to gain recognition of these human rights violations and to access reparations. How was the State party supporting the right to access truth, justice and reparation for victims and their family members?
The State party’s standards on the use of force by law enforcement officials did not establish a high threshold on the use of lethal force. What measures were in place to amend these to bring them in line with international standards? Excessive use of force was used in response to protests in December 2020, resulting in the death of one protester and injuries to several media personnel. What investigations had been conducted into this and other incidents of excessive use of force and what redress was provided to the victims?
One Committee Expert noted progress in the representation of women in ministries and measures to improve the representation of women in the Government. However, only eight municipalities out of 61 were headed by women. How did the State party promote civic education with a gender perspective? What measures were in place promoting gender parity? Selective abortion seemed to be deep-rooted in Albanian society. How was the State party preventing this practice? Only 25 per cent of persons who owned land and ran businesses were women. What progress had been made to promote co-ownership by women of property and rural land?
Violence against women seemed to be an endemic problem that was increasing in prevalence. Did the State party have a general policy to combat all forms of violence against women? It was reportedly difficult for victims to lodge complaints. What measures had the State party taken to guarantee effective access to justice for survivors? The definition of rape in the Criminal Code was problematic; it should not solely focus on the use of violence. Did the State party intend to revise this legislation? How many emergency shelters for victims were available? Access to sexual and reproductive health services was limited in rural areas. How was the State party addressing this?
Another Committee Expert noted positive amendments to the Criminal Code increasing the penalty for murders occurring in blood feuds to 30 years imprisonment, and strategies applied to curb the phenomenon. However, the legal system did not provide a clear definition of “blood feuds”, making it difficult to apply the penalty. More than 700 families were reportedly involved in blood feuds. What measures were in place to eradicate blood feuds and investigate revenge killings, apply appropriate sanctions to perpetrators, and provide redress to victims? What protection measures were provided for potential victims?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said reform in 2023 aimed to increase the quality and integrity of the justice system. The legal aid system had been bolstered with an increase in legal aid centres. More than 6,000 citizens had benefited from primary legal aid and more than 900 from secondary legal aid in 2024. Women victims of domestic violence automatically received legal aid, and nearly 300 persons from sexual minorities as well as around 400 Roma and Egyptian minority persons had received legal aid. The families of victims of violations occurring during the 2011 protests had been provided with redress and financial compensation.
Legal amendments were implemented in 2020 to ensure joint ownership of land and property between men and women. The Ministry of Justice had finalised a draft revision to the Criminal Code which addressed issues with the definition of rape and introduced the crime of femicide. Albania had taken significant steps to implement the Istanbul Convention and a new draft law on gender equality was currently being considered.
Over the last three years, there had been an increase in domestic violence cases but a decrease in victims. Training had been organised for police officers on responding to domestic violence and trafficking in persons. Awareness raising campaigns were being conducted by the police in collaboration with non-governmental organizations to prevent gender-based violence.
The Parliament followed legal procedures for the appointment of the People’s Advocate and the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, which had been the subject of political debate. A new project was in place to strengthen the monitoring of the recommendations of these institutions and international human rights committees through a dedicated digital platform. Various civil society organizations participated in discussions on legislation, public policy and implementation of monitoring bodies’ recommendations.
The prevention of corruption was a priority for the Government. Twenty specialised prosecutors investigating corruption cases had been appointed. Judges were appointed by two independent judicial bodies, which ensured judges’ integrity. Last year, the Government finalised its new anti-corruption strategy. The Parliament had also established an ad-hoc anti-corruption committee. Transparency International had judged that Albania had made the most progress in the region in combatting corruption last year.
The draft law on sexual and reproductive health was currently being assessed by the Government, in consultation with civil society. Sex-selective abortion was prohibited under State law.
Under the national action plan on Roma and Egyptian minorities, awareness raising campaigns on these communities’ rights were being carried out, mobile health units were providing annual check-ups for remote communities, and free school textbooks were provided to Roma and Egyptian families to prevent school dropouts.
The State party was supporting access to quality public services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Contact persons working on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity were in place in public entities.
The State Police had not recorded any cases of torture. During protests, it was forbidden for police to carry weapons. The State party did not have information about deaths occurring in protests as a result of excessive use of force since 2011. Police were working with other institutions to prevent blood feuds, which were punished with up to life imprisonment. In 2023, there were three homicides connected with blood feuds, and none in 2024.
Bylaws on the exhumation of the remains of victims of historic human rights violations had been issued, and non-invasive surveys of burial sites would be launched soon. The Authority on Access to Information reported annually to Parliament on its response to historic human rights violations.
Paid paternity leave was provided for both parents, and victims of domestic violence were provided with financial support, the amount of which had been tripled recently. The Government had significantly increased the amount invested in gender-sensitive programmes in recent years, and had implemented measures promoting access to education, health and public services for minority women.
The Supreme Court had issued five judgements that referred directly to the Covenant.
Gender quotas had resulted in a significant increase in the representation of women in Government. Albania ranked in the top 10 worldwide in women’s representation in Parliament, and around 39 per cent of candidates in the most recent elections were women. Five out of eight standing parliamentary committees were chaired by women.
In 2023, there were 708 administrative cases related to combatting organised crime and recovering assets, many of which were referred to courts. Recovered assets were used to support victims’ shelters and civic engagement. Work was ongoing on corruption cases involving high-level political figures. There were many cases being investigated related to property registration and procurement. The Government planned to further strengthen its whistle blower protection legislation.
Changes had been made to legislation to resolve 144 cases of statelessness. Currently, there were no stateless individuals in the State party, only individuals identified as being at risk of statelessness. The State party was assisting persons to submit the necessary documents to resolve statelessness.
Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on investigations occurring since 2022 related to torture and ill-treatment by police and prison staff; the number of inspections of places of detention carried out in the past two years and measures to ensure detainees’ access to lawyers and prevent ill-treatment; how the State ensured the impartiality of the national human rights institutions in the context of heated political debates about them; the State party’s position on the obligatory reconciliation process between perpetrators and victims of rape; measures to rehabilitate the perpetrators of violence; and tangible measures to prevent the practice of sex-selective abortions.
Questions were also asked on investigations into the responsibility of commanding officers related to violations occurring during the January 2011 protests; steps to recognise and provide reparations for the family members of victims of enforced disappearances occurring during the dictatorship era; steps taken to investigate reports of death and injuries occurring at the December 2020 protest; and steps taken to implement the national action plan on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights.
Responses by the Delegation
There were no reports of torture during the reporting period. The People’s Advocate was mandated to operate to act as the national preventive mechanism against torture. It conducted regular inspections of places of detention without prior authorisation. The number of recommendations issued by the People’s Advocate had increased from 2022 to 2024. The Parliamentary Commission of Human Rights and the Council of Europe also carried out periodic monitoring visits. Further, the police installed mailboxes and phones in all prisons to allow prisoners to submit complaints.
Based on its inspections of prisons, the People’s Advocate had given 231 recommendations to the General Directorate of Prisons, and all but nine had been at least partially implemented. A commission had been established to review complaints from prisoners and restore their rights. Cases of ill-treatment by prison staff were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office. Some 34 citizens, including three police officers, were prosecuted in 2023, and 37 citizens, including seven police officers, were prosecuted in 2024. Violence between prisoners had been reduced.
Albania had started working on its five commitments made to the United Nations to combat corruption. Its deadline for implementing these was 2027. The State covered all legal expenditure by victims of gender-based violence, domestic violence, trafficking in persons, and by migrants and stateless persons. The Criminal Code did not allow for mediation in cases of sexual crimes, only for misdemeanours and low-level assault cases.
In 2028, Albania planned to finalise amendments to the Family Code to recognise same-sex civil partnerships. Data was being collected on the implementation of the national action plan on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. The Government was organising awareness raising campaigns on combatting homophobia and promoting sexual diversity.
Several measures had been implemented to monitor and address sex-selective abortions and gender imbalances. Health care providers received gender-sensitive training to discourage such abortions, and regional awareness raising campaigns were also being carried out to prevent the practice. The ratio of male to female births was currently 107 males to 100 females.
Accreditation of the People’s Advocate should have been completed this year, but due to delays, it would be carried out in 2026.
The State Police provided information to detainees on their rights in various languages. Specialised notices of rights were provided for children, victims of violence, and other categories of people.
The death occurring in December 2020 did not relate to a protest; it occurred when a police officer shot a person who did not cooperate with COVID-19 restraint measures. The officer involved claimed that the person who was shot was carrying a weapon; he was not. This officer was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Investigations were ongoing into the responsibility of commanding officers related to the deaths occurring in the 2011 protests.
The State party was implementing measures to locate victims of enforced disappearances occurring during the dictatorship period and to officially recognise victims’ families.
Questions by Committee Experts
A Committee Expert said there were gaps in law and in practice related to procedural safeguards. In some cases, police reportedly delayed access to a lawyer when conducting initial interviews. What measures were in place to ensure that access to a lawyer was guaranteed from the moment of arrest?
Albania had put in place various measures to address trafficking in persons, including the national action plan on trafficking. However, there were several challenges remaining in addressing trafficking, including lack of access to compensation for victims and the lack of a gender sensitive approach to trafficking. Would the State party adopt a specific law on trafficking, make further efforts to guarantee access to compensation for victims, and promote further training for officials on trafficking?
Children in Albania continued to be subjected to the worst forms of child labour, including forced begging, sexual exploitation and labour in the mining sector. The labour inspectorate reportedly did not receive adequate funding to carry out sufficient investigations in all sectors. Would the State party explicitly prohibit all forms of child labour in law and increase the resources available for the labour inspectorate?
Judicial reforms implemented since 2016, including the reform of the Constitutional Court and the establishment of new judicial structures, were appreciated. However, there were concerns regarding the impartiality of the appointment process for non-magistrates in the judicial system. How would the State party strengthen impartiality and independence in the judicial system? What measures had the State party taken to increase the efficiency of the judicial system and decrease the backlog of cases?
Another Committee Expert expressed concerns about the reported ill-treatment of minors after arrest, including their transportation with adult convicts, the lack of judicial chambers for juveniles, failure to inform the families of minors of their detention, the absence of specialised lawyers for minors, and the lack of integration programmes for convicted children. How did the State party address these issues and ensure that the detention of children was used as a measure of last resort? What sentences were issued to children over the reporting period?
The Committee was concerned by allegations of ill-treatment in prisons, detention centres, and pre-trial detention facilities. Overcrowding and insufficient infrastructure in prisons had been reported by the People’s Advocate. There were also reports of shootings and frequent beatings of detainees by police officers, poor quality food for detainees, and poor cell conditions. Pre-trial detention was reportedly used to slow criminal proceedings due to a lack of judicial staff. What steps had been taken to address overcrowding and poor material conditions in places of detention, ensure access to potable water and nutritious food and to family visits, and strengthen training for prison staff on the prevention of ill-treatment?
The Committee was concerned by the low enrolment rate of children in primary schools, the low budget for schools, the lack of integration of children with disabilities, high rates of bullying of minority children and children with disabilities, high rates of underage marriages in Egyptian and Roma communities, and a lack of reporting of child abuse. How was the State party preventing sexual violence and online violence against children, and working to enforce the prohibition of child marriage? How would it build the capacities of teachers and social workers who worked with children? What progress had been made in raising awareness of support measures for Roma and Egyptian parents?
A Committee Expert expressed concerns that the protocol signed with Italy related to the reception of asylum seekers ran contrary to the countries’ international obligations and could violate human rights. The agreement, though currently suspended, foresaw the automatic arrest of migrants disembarking in Albania. What procedural guarantees would be provided to arriving migrants? Could migrants lodge complaints related to their treatment in courts? What impact would the draft asylum law have on addressing collective expulsions and refoulement, which were reportedly occurring at the border? How would the State party promote access to a lawyer for asylum seekers and expedite asylum procedures?
Another Committee Expert said an alliance on hate speech was established in 2017. What results had the body achieved and was it independent? How was it funded? Legislation had been amended in 2020 to criminalise hate speech. However, implementation of this legislation was reportedly limited. How would implementation be strengthened and hate speech against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons prevented?
There were reports of media workers self-censoring due to pressure from the Government, and of libel campaigns and attacks against journalists. How many persons had been prosecuted and convicted for these attacks? What measures were in place to protect journalists? Changes in ownership of the media in recent years had reportedly led to more favourable coverage of the Government. How was the State party promoting diversity in media ownership? The proposed revision to the audiovisual law restricted attendance of the media in Parliament. How did this law promote the freedom of the media?
There were numerous reports of attacks on demonstrators by the police. Could the delegation provide statistics on criminal cases heard related to police responses to demonstrations? Why was it taking so long to amend legislation to remove the requirement for police permits to carry out demonstrations?
A Committee Expert said that in 2023, an amended act on property compensation for religious groups had been implemented. How many compensation requests had been submitted and granted? Five recognised religious communities had signed agreements with the State. What did these agreements denote? Could other religious communities sign agreements? Jehovah’s Witnesses were not offered registration and were forced to operate as a non-governmental organization. The Supreme Court had found that Jehovah’s Witnesses fulfilled the requirements for a religious community; why had the State not yet recognised them? There were reports of threats and media misinformation regarding religious groups. How did the State party ensure that freedom of religious belief was not unjustly restricted?
The Committee welcomed laws adopted to reduce election fraud. What measures were in place to prevent voter buying and fraud? How did the State party investigate fraud and had there been convictions? How did it promote political participation, including for young people and members of ethnic minorities? How were polling stations made accessible for persons with disabilities?
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the issue of overcrowding had been eliminated by opening new prisons and improving material conditions in prisons, which were currently in line with international standards. The prison occupancy rate was at 78 per cent as of March 2025. In 2021, four prisons were closed due to inappropriate conditions and a prison for women was opened. A road map for the rehabilitation of prisoners was approved in 2024. Participation in rehabilitation activities, including activities outside of cells, had increased. Prisoners were provided with medical check-ups. The State party had designed training on human rights and the prohibition of torture for prison staff.
The Government was amending its strategy on identifying victims of trafficking and was considering amending legislation on trafficking. Under the national action plan on trafficking, awareness raising campaigns on trafficking were carried out in schools and members of the judiciary and police officers had been trained on addressing trafficking cases. This had resulted in an increase in registration of trafficking offences in 2024. Victims of trafficking were provided with assistance.
There was Italian territory within the external borders of Albania in which Italian authorities would review asylum requests. Regarding violent incidents at the border, in cases where violations were reported, they were dealt with in the criminal justice system. The State party ensured the protection of the principle of non-refoulement and assessed asylum applications in line with international standards.
Police took all measures to prevent the maltreatment of children in conflict with the law. There were police, prosecutors and judges specialised in protecting children’s rights who guaranteed proper conditions for minors during interviews and trials and in detention. There were currently 32 minors in juvenile detention. The durations of detention sentences applied to minors had been shortened. Separate pre-trial detention rooms were established for minors. Judges were trained to provide alternatives to detention for minors whenever possible. Training had also been provided for the judiciary on investigating sexual exploitation of minors and preventing child marriage.
Between 2022 and 2024, there were 119 children identified as being potential victims of trafficking. The State party was working to identify all children at a high risk of trafficking. In 2024, 287 cases of forced begging were identified by the State. There had been no girls under the age of 18 married since 2022. The Government had been conducting awareness raising campaigns in remote areas to discourage child marriages.
The State Labour Inspectorate inspected only formal labour sectors. The Inspectorate had thus far identified 61 children working in the mining sector, including one child who was identified as a potential victim of trafficking. It was modernising its practices, using artificial intelligence to improve inspection processes and decision making, and providing an online complaints mechanism for all cases of workplace abuse.
In 2024, there were 147 criminal offences reported related to child pornography. The State party collaborated with foreign partners to arrest foreign citizens producing child pornography in Albania, and had strengthened cooperation with social media companies to identify perpetrators and take down child pornography. The State was carrying out awareness raising campaigns on cyber security and implementing measures to protect children online.
Albania had implemented measures in 2024, including changes made to by-laws, to increase the transparency of media ownership, promote self-regulation of the media, prevent hate speech, and increase media content for persons with disabilities.
In 2022, an electronic system was implemented to protect electoral data. The State party was raising awareness about the election process among persons with disabilities. The Electoral Code had been amended to allow Albanian citizens living abroad to vote; they would be able to exercise this right for the first time in the May 2025 general elections. Municipalities were legally obliged to inform eligible citizens of their voting rights and the location of polling stations. In 2023, there were 50 criminal proceedings initiated related to electoral crimes, and there were currently 32 electoral crime cases under investigation. A framework for adjudicating on electoral crimes had been developed and a special body had been set up for assessing complaints from citizens.
By 2027, provisions would be amended to regulate the process of election of the non-magistrate members of the High Judicial Council in line with the Constitution. Background checks were carried out for magistrates to ensure their independence. Around 56 per cent of magistrates had been dismissed or had decided to cease their work as part of recent judicial reform. This had led to a backlog in cases, which had decreased significantly in the last three years thanks to the State party’s efforts. However, there were still around 7,000 outstanding cases. A strategy was in place for reducing the backlog through reallocating workloads and employing additional judicial staff.
The State party had held meetings with parents on addressing violence against children in schools. A national action plan for strengthening violence prevention in education and ensuring the well-being of students had been devised. Families received financial assistance based on the number of children they had, with additional support provided for single parents, orphans and children with disabilities.
In 2024, a prisoner was killed with a firearm by another prisoner. Authorities at the prison where this incident occurred had been sanctioned for allowing this incident to occur. Prisoners received medical check-ups upon admission into prisons. The State party had recruited 135 psychological specialists to work in prisons, and several nurses had been employed; there were currently only five medical specialists being recruited.
Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts
Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on the State party’s assessment of the United Nations’ measures to strengthen human rights in Albania; whether there had been cases in which perpetrators of enforced disappearance had been identified; results of investigations into violations occurring in the December 2020 protests; and reasons why the State party had not notified the United Nations Secretary-General regarding the state of emergency implemented in 2020.
Responses by the Delegation
The delegation said the Prosecutor General had instructed prosecutors to address cases of attacks on journalists on a priority basis. There were five criminal cases of attacks against journalists under investigation and three cases had been submitted for trial. From 2023 to 2024, police attended training sessions on protecting journalists and freedom of expression. The State party was coordinating with the Council of Europe to prevent strategic lawsuits against public participation through a strategy that would be finalised by June 2027. It was also working to decriminalise defamation to prevent this law from being used as an instrument of repression in cases related to free speech.
Albania was proud of its collaboration with United Nations agencies, which it worked with daily. Standards on legal aid, for example, had been developed in collaboration with the United Nations. The State party would continue to work with the United Nations to promote human rights across its territory.
Since August 2021, training had been provided to possible victims of trafficking. The State was building a dedicated national shelter for unaccompanied minors. There was no data on criminal offences registered since 2021 on enforced disappearance, but there were criminal proceedings underway on crimes against humanity.
Legislation had been introduced to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, including Roma and Egyptian children and children with disabilities, in the education system. Scholarships, free transport and free textbooks were provided to children from marginalised groups, and efforts had been made to improve school facilities. Home visits were conducted to identify students at risk of school dropouts. The curriculum was being updated to include education on Roma and Egyptian culture and heritage. Short-term courses in vocational schools were offered to marginalised students and persons with disabilities to support their employment. The State party had employment promotion programmes for women and policies aimed at improving work-life balance for women working in the public sector.
Closing Remarks
VASILIKA HYSI, Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations Office at Geneva and head of the delegation, thanked the Committee for the constructive dialogue, in which the delegation had presented positive developments in the State party since the last review. The Committee’s recommendations would help Albania to implement the fundamental rights enshrined in the Covenant. The State party would continue to work to improve its legal and policy framework in line with the Covenant. Ms. Hysi thanked the delegation and two independent Albanian institutions that had contributed to the dialogue.
CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, expressed sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the dialogue, and particularly to the delegation for its willing engagement. Discussions had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of civil and political rights in Albania. Despite the progress made by the State, challenges remained. Mr. Soh expressed hope that the Committee’s concluding observations would help the State party to improve the implementation of the Covenant.
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CCPR25.006E