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Report on the Human Rights Situation in Albania

Document number
1692
Date
2008
Title
Report on the Human Rights Situation in Albania
Author/publisher
Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe
Availability
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Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Summary
This report is based on information obtained during the visit along with the statements and reports provided by the authorities and civil society organizations. Relevant reports prepared by the monitoring mechanisms of the Council of Europe and other international organisations are also referred to. The report does not provide an exhaustive analysis of the human rights situation in Albania but rather reflects what the Commissioner considers to be the priorities for improving the protection of human rights in Albania. In the document, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg underlined the positive steps undertaken by the Albanian authorities to improve the protection of human rights, but expressed some concerns on structural problems which still affect the country. In particular, he made a number of recommendations on the functioning of the judiciary, police behaviour, conditions of detention, minority rights, protection against discrimination, rights of disabled persons, children’s and women’s rights, trafficking in human beings and freedom of expression. The Commissioner observed that shortcomings in legislation and implementation, as well as widespread perceptions of corruption, continue to jeopardise the effective functioning of the judicial system. Moreover, he expressed concerned about cases of police misbehaviour and the lack of effective investigations into allegations of ill-treatment. The Commissioner also highlighted “unacceptable human and material conditions” in places of detention and recommended the adoption of effective measures to overcome this situation. Moreover, while commending the efforts undertaken in recent years to tackle trafficking in human beings, Commissioner Hammarberg underlined the need to adopt more comprehensive measures, including assistance to victims and public awareness activities, particularly in the poorest regions of the country.
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