Freedom of association
Representatives of Albania’s Committee on National Minorities and Estonia’s Ministry of Culture and Integration Foundation met in Durrës in March 2025 to exchange best practices on the effective integration of national minorities and the management of diverse societies. The event, hosted by Albania with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, as well as the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE mission in Albania, followed a similar exchange held in Tallinn in 2024. The exchange also featured contributions from local NGOs and public institutions in Durrës that presented grassroots initiatives aimed at supporting minority communities. The discussions emphasised the importance of local engagement in national integration efforts. In addition to the knowledge-sharing sessions, the visit included a capacity-building component for 18 members of Albania’s Committee on National Minorities.
Freedom of peaceful assembly
During the period under review, a number of protests took place across Albania on environmental issues, women's rights, the ban on TikTok, and solidarity with Palestine.
On 4th March 2025, residents of Tragjas, Albania’s Vlora region, clashed with police and the National Inspectorate of Territorial Protection, as authorities moved in with Rapid Intervention Forces to begin demolitions linked to a controversial water supply project. The €7 million project, designed to divert water from the Izvor River to supply the tourist zone of Dhërmi, has faced strong local opposition over environmental concerns, lack of consultations, and fears it will deprive the village of water. The clashes between police and protesters marked an escalation after previous weeks of peaceful protests. According to media reports, there were physical clashes between residents and police officers, and some protesters were taken to the police station. The tense situation lasted for about two hours, after which it was agreed that the residents would disperse and the demolition vehicles would be withdrawn.
On 8th March 2025, the Feminist Collective organised its annual Women's Day protest in Tirana, focusing on poverty and its impact on women’s lives. Demonstrators marched under the slogan “Don’t touch my freedom”. Activists and supporters marched through the city, condemning systemic inequality and government neglect, which they described as a form of daily violence against women. The event continued the post-communist tradition of reclaiming 8th March as a day of protest for women’s rights. There were no reported incidents or police intervention.
On 15th March 2025, hundreds of protesters gathered in Tirana to oppose the government’s decision to ban TikTok for a year, accusing it of censorship ahead of the May elections. The opposition, led by the Democratic Party, accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of trying to control information and stifle dissent. The peaceful demonstration took place over an hour, with no clashes or reports of police interference.
On 11th April 2025, members of the Muslim Forum of Albania and several associations protested in front of Parliament in Tirana under the slogan “Not in my name – Rally for Palestine”. The demonstration followed Prime Minister Edi Rama’s reception of the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour, which protesters condemned as endorsing Israel’s actions in Gaza. Participants criticised the Albanian government’s silence on the conflict, but the protest remained peaceful.
Freedom of expression
Concerns over safety of journalists
In February 2025, the SafeJournalists Network raised concerns over escalating hostility towards independent journalists and media professionals in Albania. The Network highlighted a growing pattern of verbal attacks, anti-media rhetoric from high-ranking officials, smear campaigns, and targeted online harassment, particularly against women journalists.
On 11th February 2025, for example, Prime Minister Edi Rama referred to investigative outlet BIRN Albania as a “frëngji” — the Albanian term for a narrow slit in fortress walls used for firing weapons — thereby framing the media as an aggressor instrumentalised by outside forces. This verbal attack was followed by further derogatory remarks on 12th February, with the Prime Minister describing investigative media as a “swamp,” “medieval market courts,” and their work as “meaningless noise”. Similarly, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, following his arrest on corruption charges, launched inflammatory attacks against journalists covering his case, calling them “dogs” and dismissing media outlets as “sewer channels”. The Network also reported that on 17th February 2025, journalist Glidona Daci became the target of a misogynistic smear campaign, receiving sexist and defamatory attacks on social media aimed at discrediting her both professionally and personally. The SafeJournalists Network called on the authorities to cease attacks on journalists and urged politicians to respect the crucial role of independent media as a check on power.
In addition, concerns over journalist safety have grown amid rising political interference, organised crime, and a lack of adequate protection measures, threatening both individual reporters and broader media freedom. In response, the Albanian government approved the Rule of Law Roadmap in December 2023, following its EU accession screening, which includes steps to enhance protections for journalists. Law enforcement agencies, including the State Police, have been tasked with developing and implementing mechanisms to safeguard journalists. The Council of Europe has collaborated with organisations, such as SCiDEV and Respublica, to draft guidelines supporting the creation of a State Police Protocol for Journalist Safety. This protocol aims to align with Council of Europe standards on freedom of expression, as well as requirements for the EU integration process. A working group within the State Police will be formed to develop the protocol, incorporating input from journalists, media freedom groups, and civil society to ensure transparency and effectiveness.
On 10th March 2025, a consultative meeting on the State Police Guidelines for the Safety of Journalists took place at Europe House in Tirana, bringing together representatives from law enforcement, government institutions, media organisations, and civil society to discuss strengthening journalist protection in Albania. Representatives from the State Police Working Group presented the newly developed guidelines aimed at improving police procedures in safeguarding media professionals. The document outlines protocols for police intervention, preventive actions, and mechanisms for cooperation with journalists facing threats or violence in the course of their work. The meeting sparked an open and constructive dialogue between journalists’ associations, civil society organisations, and law enforcement.
SafeJournalists Network, Media Freedom Rapid Response partners, and several civil society organisations expressed concern over the Albanian government’s decision to suspend nationwide access to TikTok for 12 months (see previous Monitor update). The Council of Ministers adopted the decision on 6th March 2025, citing concerns over child safety and data protection. However, media organisations and rights groups argue that the measure represents a severe violation of fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and access to information. Critics underline that a total platform ban is a disproportionate response that impacts the legitimate expression of millions of users, curtails public debate, and restricts access to diverse sources of information.
BIRN Albania and the Association of Journalists of Albania appealed to the country’s Constitutional Court to declare the government’s one-year ban on TikTok unconstitutional. The appeal challenges the Council of Ministers’ decision to block access to the social media platform, arguing it violates freedom of expression. The National Cyber Security Authority requested the block, which followed a proposal by Prime Minister Edi Rama in December. The move came after the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old, which has reportedly been linked to conflicts on social media.