Freedom of Association
Environmental concerns at the forefront of civil society action
In January 2026, an international coalition of environmental organisations and activists called for the suspension of a planned luxury island resort project in Albania that is linked to U.S. businessman Jared Kushner. The project raises concerns over its potential environmental impact, as the uninhabited island and the surrounding waters are home to one of the world’s most endangered marine species, the Mediterranean Monk Seal, as well as dozens of other threatened species. They urged the Albanian authorities to stop the project and comply with the country’s international obligations on nature and biodiversity protection, citing risks to protected areas and the surrounding ecosystem.
In February 2026, residents of Pogradec, Albania, mobilised against the construction of high-rise buildings near Lake Ohrid under the slogan “Pogradec is not Dubai”. The civic group “Stop Towers in Pogradec” raised concerns over the environmental impact of the project, including potential damage to the lakeshore and surrounding area, and called for the construction to be halted. They also expressed dissatisfaction with urban planning decisions and the lack of transparency in the construction approval process. The group addressed an open letter to local and state authorities on 9th February 2026, and launched a petition opposing the project, which gathered over 1,900 signatures.
An article published in February 2026 found that women environmental activists in Albania face structural barriers that limit their visibility and participation in public advocacy. Despite their involvement in grassroots mobilisation and local environmental initiatives, women's contributions remain largely underrepresented in media coverage and decision-making processes. Drawing on polling and interviews with women environmental defenders, the analysis found that social and cultural attitudes and widespread online harassment affect the extent to which women’s voices are heard in public debates and advocacy on environmental issues, especially in rural areas.
On 24th February 2026, 26 civil society organisations in Albania called on the government to take measures to protect the Shkumbin River. The organisations raised concerns over environmental degradation and the impact of infrastructure and development projects on the river's ecosystem. They called for stronger state action to ensure its protection.
In a concerning development in February 2026, activists from Zall-Gjoçaj in Albania were targeted by an anonymous social media page that published content attacking them for their environmental activism. The posts included manipulatively edited footage and derogatory narratives directed against individuals involved in local actions against the development of hydropower plants. The environmental activists expressed concerns over the online harassment and the impact of such content on their safety, security, and public reputation.
Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
Local residents mobilise against hydroelectric power plant
On 6th March 2026, residents of villages in the Fushë-Bulqizë administrative unit staged a protest against plans to construct the “Shytaj” hydroelectric power plant, warning it would deprive them of vital water resources. Dozens gathered outside the municipal building before entering a council meeting to voice their opposition. Protesters then confronted Mayor Festime Mjeshtri, demanding the project be halted and calling for transparency and public consultation. According to Citizens.al, the Mayor then reportedly agreed to a meeting to discuss their concerns. The protest follows years of opposition to the project, including earlier demonstrations in 2019. Residents have also submitted a petition with around 350 signatures, insisting that any decision must follow an environmental impact assessment and consultations with affected communities.
Arrests, detentions and clashes at sustained protests against seaside resort
Throughout February and March 2026, residents of Rrjoll in northern Albania held sustained protests against the construction of a seaside resort. The project, led by Gener 2—a company linked to controversial businessman Bashkim Ulaj—aims to develop a stretch of coastline between Shëngjin and Velipoja into a luxury complex named “Blue Borgo”. Local residents strongly oppose the development, alleging that land they own was registered in the names of third parties using forged documents and subsequently sold to the investor, and are demanding that construction be halted. Protests have repeatedly escalated into confrontations with private security and police, whom residents accuse of excessive force and acting to protect corporate interests.
On 28th February, tensions escalated into a physical clash between residents and private security personnel hired by the company. In the aftermath, authorities initiated proceedings against 24 individuals. Of that number, 15 residents presented themselves to police after being declared wanted and two people were arrested. By mid-March, prosecutors had imposed measures on 15 protesters: 10 must report regularly to police and are barred from approaching the construction site, while five remain wanted. Charges include destruction of property, resisting police officers, and intentional serious injury. The residents have rejected the accusations, claiming they are intended to suppress the protest and alleging that police used force against them.
On 14th March, another protest led to renewed tensions when demonstrators marching towards the site were blocked by a police cordon. Citizens from outside the area also joined the protest, signalling broader opposition to the project. According to BalkanWeb, several participants were escorted to the police station.
Further demonstrations took place in other locations, including outside Parliament and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK), institutions the residents have appealed to seeking a resolution to the dispute.
Wave of anti-government demonstrations, protesters accuse government of corruption
Since December 2025, anti-government protests have taken place in Albania, with demonstrators accusing the government of corruption and demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
Balluku is accused of interfering in public procurement for road construction during her tenure as Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. In December, anti-corruption prosecutors asked parliament to lift her immunity to enable her arrest, but the process has stalled, with Rama calling the request unconstitutional. The resulting deadlock has deepened political tensions and reinforced concerns about a broader pattern of impunity, as several of Rama’s allies have faced corruption charges or imprisonment in recent years.
Protests began with sit-ins outside the prime minister’s office and continued for months, at times escalating into clashes with police. On 24th January, protesters led by opposition figures called for early elections and the establishment of a provisional government to oversee them. After speeches concluded, some demonstrators threw stones and Molotov cocktails, while police responded with tear gas and water cannon. Euronews reported that at least ten police officers sustained minor injuries and, according to opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, 25 protesters were arrested.
At a protest on 10th February 2026, media reported significant violence, during which police again used tear gas and water cannon, while protesters threw Molotov cocktails and fireworks. The clashes lasted about two hours, and police reported that around 30 people were arrested.
Another anti-government protest took place in the capital on 17th April, during which at least 11 people were arrested. Injuries were reported among protesters and Democratic Party MPs following the police use of tear gas and pepper spray.
Protest against PM Rama’s visit to Israel
On 30th January 2026, demonstrators gathered in Tirana to protest Prime Minister Edi Rama’s recent visit to Israel, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and accusing the PM of misrepresenting public opinion in the country in his engagement with Israeli leaders. The protest, organised by civil society groups under the slogan “Not in My Name,” took place outside the parliament building, where participants carried banners condemning the genocide in Gaza.
Speakers criticised the prime minister’s meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu and his address to Israel’s parliament, arguing that his stance “positioned Albania on the dark side of injustice, crimes, and the killing of children and women, as never before in its history”. Protesters also raised concerns over potential Israeli investment in Albania, framing it as inappropriate in the context of Israel’s conduct.
Police blocked a planned march from parliament, but no other incidents or clashes were reported. The protest followed Rama’s visit to Israel from 25th to 27th January.
Albanian truck drivers take part in regional protest
From 14th to 16th April, truckers’ associations from the Western Balkans, including in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro suspended operations in protest against the application of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). The system, which is fully automated, strictly enforces the 90-day maximum stay per 180-day period, and in the drivers’ case would count time spent in EU countries while transporting goods towards the 90 day limit. Drivers argue the restriction prevents them from working effectively across borders and called for professional drivers to be excluded from this rule or for the creation of a specific legal framework that would regulate their stay in EU countries.
The protest disrupted cross-border traffic, including at the Hani i Hotit crossing on the border with Montenegro. In response, Albanian Border Police temporarily banned heavy vehicles from travelling towards Montenegro for the duration of the 72-hour protest, citing safety concerns and the risk of road blockages.
Peaceful march in Tirana for International Women’s Day
On International Women's Day - 8th March 2026 - women, girls, and activists in Albania organised a protest march in Tirana under the slogan “Revolt, sister!”. Gathering at Mother Teresa Square and marching through the city, demonstrators called for equality, protection from violence, access to justice, and greater representation of women in decision-making. Protesters raised concerns over the prevalence of violence against women, including domestic violence and femicide, and criticised institutional responses and societal attitudes.
The march was organised by the Feminist Collective in Albania and included activists and representatives of political groups, as well as expressions of solidarity with women facing discrimination and violence, including LGBTQI+ persons and women from other marginalised communities. In addition to demands for equality and justice for women in Albania, protesters also expressed solidarity with women in Palestine, Iran, and Ukraine, who face patriarchal oppression in the context of armed conflict. No restrictions or incidents were reported in relation to the protest.
Freedom of Expression
Report finds challenging environment for media freedom in Albania
The 2025 annual report by BIRN Albania, in partnership with SCiDEV and the Fact Centre, found that Albania’s improved position in the global media freedom ranking did not reflect the daily reality faced by journalists. For example, in a survey of 106 journalists, 64.2% considered freedom of expression to have worsened during 2025; 50% reported more difficulties in accessing information; and 36.8% reported worsening working conditions. The report also found that 68% of respondents had experienced some form of restriction in reporting during the past year, while about 80% said they had abandoned publishing material at least once due to pressure or self-censorship. Threats and intimidation were reported by 40.6% of respondents, with government officials identified as the main source, followed by political groups, criminal groups, and media owners.
Amendments to the criminal code to partially decriminalise defamation, proposal to “regulate” journalism raises concerns
On 28th January 2026, the Albanian Parliament adopted a broad package of amendments to the Criminal Code, citing the need to align national legislation with EU standards as part of the accession process. Several changes address the partial decriminalisation of defamation and aim to strengthen protections for journalists. While Albanian and international media freedom organisations welcomed aspects of the reform, they warned it falls short, as defamation is decriminalised only for “registered and recognised” journalists, and insult remains a criminal offence.
In a statement ahead of the vote, the Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism cautioned that limiting protection to a narrowly defined professional category risks excluding other public-interest actors, including civil society organisations, activists, researchers, whistleblowers, and citizens. It also stressed that references to “registered and recognised” journalists are problematic, given the absence of a formal registration system in Albania and the incompatibility of such mechanisms with European standards on media freedom.
The group urged authorities to build on these initial steps by fully decriminalising defamation and insult, and by ensuring that protections for expression are based on public interest and good faith rather than professional status. Proposals to further tighten the status of journalists legislatively through introducing a formal registration procedure were widely rejected by media organisations, particularly amid suggestions by ruling Socialist Party MPs to regulate the profession in a manner comparable to healthcare, an approach inconsistent with international freedom of expression standards.
Defamation suit against environmental activists dismissed
On 28th January 2026, a court in Albania dismissed a criminal case filed by the company Seka Hydropower against residents of Zall-Gjoçaj who had opposed hydropower development in their community. The company had sued three residents for defamation and insult over statements made to the media and at protests, where they raised concerns about the impact of hydropower plants on the Flim and Uraka rivers.
Previously, in November 2025, a reconciliation session was held during which the company requested that the residents apologise for their public statements, which they rejected. The charges were dismissed due to the plaintiff’s failure to appear, despite both parties having agreed on the hearing date.
If convicted, the three activists would have faced a potential fine of between 50,000 and 3,000,000 lekë (approximately €520 to €31,500). The filing of the lawsuit raised concerns about the abuse of legal proceedings against individuals exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
Court overturns government’s TikTok ban
On 11th March 2026, Albania’s Constitutional Court ruled that the government’s one-year ban on TikTok (see previous CIVICUS Monitor updates) violated freedom of expression and freedom of the press, though it found no breach of economic freedoms. The decision followed a legal challenge by the Association of Journalists of Albania and BIRN Albania, who argued the measure was unconstitutional.
The journalists’ association welcomed the ruling as a significant step for media freedom and democratic standards. Prime Minister Edi Rama criticised the decision, defending the ban as a response to public concern, including a survey of parents supporting the platform’s closure.
Although the government lifted the ban in February 2026, the court proceeded with the case, citing public interest and the need to guide future legislation.
Satirical page shut down, sparking debate about content moderation
In April 2026, the closure of satirical platform “Lol Albania” sparked debate over content moderation and alleged censorship on Meta platforms. The site’s administrators claimed it was targeted by coordinated mass reporting following the publication of a photo showing the chairman of the ruling Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, and Imam Ahmed Kalaja, leading to repeated removals of posts on alleged copyright grounds and the eventual shutdown of their page.
The Association of Journalists of Albania warned that such reporting mechanisms risk being abused to silence critical voices, calling it a threat to freedom of expression. Digital rights experts highlighted that moderation systems are often automated, with limited verification and transparency.
The case has renewed concerns over weak legal oversight of platforms in Albania and the lack of effective remedies for users. Critics argue this creates space for indirect censorship, particularly affecting journalists, activists, and satirical content.
Threats, discreditation and smears against journalists
On 27th March 2026, Syri TV aired an investigation into alleged fraud by astrologer Elena Demollari. Shortly afterwards, Demollari posted threatening messages on social media, including AI-generated images depicting journalist Avi Mema and camera operator Nertil Mataj in coffins. In one post, she warned them to “get ready for [their] funeral” and accused them of being paid to damage her reputation.
On 25th February 2026, Anila Hoxha and Klodiana Lala of Top Channel were targeted in a coordinated online smear campaign linked to their reporting on the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). The attacks were fuelled by journalist Bledi Mane, whose Facebook post accused them of biased reporting and triggered abusive, gendered and sexualised comments.
Journalists also faced public discreditation from senior political figures, notably Prime Minister Edi Rama. On 13th March 2026, during a press conference in Tirana, Rama had Ambrozia Meta of Syri TV and Isa Myzyraj of Report TV, who also heads the Association of Journalists of Albania, expelled from the premises. According to the Mapping Media Freedom Project, both were removed after asking questions of public interest. At the same press conference, Rama also used derogatory language to describe critical media and accused them of criminal conduct without evidence.
Earlier, on 16th January 2026, Rama criticised public broadcaster Albanian Radio Television, calling it a “successful failure” and suggesting funding cuts, privatisation or closure, adding that it would receive no government funding until it “deserves it”.
On 14th January 2026, Rama separately discredited journalists Klodiana Lala and Blendi Fevziu in a series of social media posts, accusing them of misinformation and unprofessional conduct in response to their reporting and commentary.
Attacks on journalists and obstruction of coverage
On 10th February 2026, Aldo Kashri of News 24 was injured while covering an anti-government protest near Parliament in Tirana. Reporting from atop a vehicle during clashes between police and protesters, he was briefly caught in flames after protesters threw Molotov cocktails. He sustained minor burns to his fingers.
On 4th February 2026, Gentian Këllçiu of Syri TV was assaulted while covering a protest in Vlora’s Kushtrimi district. The demonstration, organised by the employees of a municipal landscaping company over working conditions, turned violent when a 33-year-old employee allegedly pushed and punched the journalist, causing minor injuries. The suspect was detained and faces criminal proceedings, with the case referred to the Prosecutor’s Office.
On 24th January 2026, at least two journalists were attacked by law enforcement while reporting on an opposition protest in Tirana. Photojournalist Felix Birana was pepper-sprayed, while journalist Marsi Korreshi was struck by high-pressure water from a water cannon.
On 30th January 2026, Aldo Mustafa of Report TV was obstructed by police in Durrës while covering a traffic enforcement operation targeting drivers. Officers allegedly withheld his vehicle registration over unpaid fines and indicated it would be returned only if he stopped filming. Mustafa refused, and tensions escalated as additional police arrived.