FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
In March, trade unionists in Albania criticised Prime Minister Edi Rama for his comments about trade unions. Addressing workers at a garment factory in Kamëz, he said: “We cannot replace the trade unions and their role. Unfortunately, trade unions are a ghost in Albania. I'm very sorry to say this, but that is how they are.” In the past, Rama had been much more negative about the importance of trade unions in society. In a conversation with the representative of an association of manufacturing companies in 2015, he called on investors to come to Albania, claiming that the country offered a positive business climate because of the absence of “trade unions and radical leftists” The Albanian Coalition for Rights at Work welcomed the prime minister’s more positive attitude towards workers' rights, but criticised his negative attitude towards the strength of the trade union movement in Albania, stressing that denigrating trade unions in the presence of workers demoralises them in their efforts to unionise.
FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Members of the Durrës Association of Paraplegics protested in front of the Town Hall on 27th February. They demanded that the institution make public a list of people who received disability pension payments between 2005 and 2010, as they did not benefit from indexation during that period and many have successfully been compensated in court. According to the non-indexation of pensions has affected about 120,000 citizens, many of whom are unaware they are entitled to compensation. In addition to the denied indexation, they also protested against the low payments that the Albanian state makes to caretakers, thus denying the family members of people with disabilities a dignified life. This was the second protest held in front of the Durrës municipality for the same reason, and the citizens warned that more protests would follow if their demands were not met.
In March, women's rights organisations in Albania took part in marches and rallies for International Women's Day, demanding equal rights and better protection against domestic violence. The aim of the demonstrations was to hold the relevant institutions accountable for their failure to provide adequate protection for victims of gender-based violence. The activists demanded stricter measures, including harsher punishments for perpetrators and the publication of the identity of convicted sex offenders. Albanian civil society continues to advocate for better policies and support for victims of domestic violence. On 2nd March, following the murder of three women in Tirana, civil society organisations protested in the capital to demand action against gender-based violence. The demonstrators called for stronger measures to protect women and hold perpetrators accountable. They expressed outrage at the prevalence of femicide in the country and criticised the lenient sentences for the perpetrators.
Workers at the Shengjin Port began protesting on 21st March after not receiving their salaries for three months. They protested on the port's premises and refused to start work without receiving any response from the port management. This was the second protest by Shengjin Port workers after 21st January, when they protested for their December salaries.
Opposition protests continued in March, with leaders demanding the resignation of the government over allegations of corruption. The aim of the demonstrations was to express discontent with the status quo and demand political change. The demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building in Tirana on 3rd March to highlight their concerns and demand accountability. Opposition leaders accused the government of failing to effectively address the issue of corruption, leading to growing public discontent. These protests reflect ongoing political tensions and calls for reform in Albania.
In April, protests broke out in northern Albania against the construction of hydroelectric power plants, with demonstrators expressing concern about the environmental and social impact. The activists argue that the projects threaten biodiversity, water resources and local communities. The protests reflect the ongoing debate about the country's energy development plans and the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. The protesters are demanding a re-evaluation of the hydropower projects and the introduction of more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.
On 14th March, after years of protests and efforts by environmentalists and civil society organisations, Albania declared the River Vjosa and the land surrounding it a national park, thus legally protecting it. The decision follows protests against planned hydropower plants on the river and concerns about infrastructure projects that could damage the river's tributaries. The Vjosa, known as Europe's last wild river, has exceptional natural value and efforts to protect it have been supported by both Albanian and international scientists. The proclamation of the national park is seen as an important milestone for the conservation of this important natural resource. However, the environmental organisation PPNEA pointed out that the most important part of the river, the river delta in the Vjosë-Nartë area, is excluded from protection because the government supports the construction of an international airport a few metres from the lagoon. In his speech at the announcement of the Vjosa National Park, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed those opposed to the construction of the Vlora airport, saying: “I was told that there is someone here who continues to harass us with the birds of the Vlora airport.” PPNEA has stated they consider this to be an act of targeting and intimidation.
In another positive development, on 25th February, the Administrative Court of First Instance in Tirana annulled the decision to build two hydroelectric power plants and a factory in the village of Thirrë in Mirdita because the villages were in danger of being left without water. Residents of the villages of Thirrë, Sang and Hebë began protesting against the construction in April 2021.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
The US State Department, in its 2022 Country Report on Albania, identified the lack of independent media as a major human rights issue in the country. The report said that independent print media are constrained by political pressure, corruption and lack of funding, and journalists reportedly practise self-censorship. The order banning the publication of documents leaked following a cyberattack on police systems was criticised as a threat to freedom of information and expression and created conditions for censorship and self-censorship. The report also refers to several cases of violence and intimidation against media representatives.
On 31st March, the SafeJournalists Network in Albania, together with SCiDEV, presented the Report on Media Freedom and Safety of Journalists in Albania 2022, which highlighted signs of deterioration in freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Challenges included concentration of media ownership, limited access to information and declining quality of media content due to self-censorship and disinformation. Few attacks on journalists were reported, but security mechanisms have been deemed inadequate. Recommended actions include promoting media pluralism, strengthening legal protections, improving media professionalism and promoting digitisation to support sustainable media funding.
A security guard at a leading Albanian television station was shot and killed under unclear circumstances on 27th March. The guard, Pal Kola, was found dead at the premises of Top Channel TV in Tirana. The motive behind the killing remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of media professionals in Albania and has sparked calls for a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.
In April, journalist Blendi Salaj, known for his coverage of the reality show "Big Brother VIP 2", received death threats due to comments he made about a contestant on the show. The threats, believed to be from fans of the said person, have been reported to the police. The SafeJournalists Network in Albania has condemned the threats and expressed solidarity with Salaj.
On 23rd March, a 50-year-old man was arrested in Fier, Albania, for attacking the cameraman and destroying the mobile phone of a journalist from the investigative programme “Stop” because he did not want to be filmed. The incident took place in a notary's office, and the journalist and the cameraman were documenting a complaint against the notary when the altercation occurred.
According to a panel discussion organised by the Balkan Investigative Research Network (BIRN) on 19th April, Freedom of Information (FOI) laws in Albania and other Western Balkan countries often only exist on paper and are not effectively implemented. Public institutions often refuse full access to requested information, indicating a lack of transparency and proactivity. Last year, out of 376 FOI requests made by BIRN journalists in Albania, only 134 were fully responded to, reflecting a lack of political will to implement FOI laws. Similar problems were observed in other countries in the region. According to a report by Albania's Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data, there were 1,081 complaints on transparency issues in Albania in 2022. The complaints were mainly related to reconstruction efforts after the 2019 earthquake and public-private partnerships during the pandemic. Delays and cyber-attacks were cited as causes of some problems, while confidentiality clauses and the forwarding of applications to other institutions were also highlighted as issues. The report stresses the need for clearer confidentiality provisions and greater consistency in the coordination of information.