Albania - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 33, May 9, 2019
Recommendations of Canada

Background

According to UPR Info, a non‑profit, non‑governmental organization that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, Albania received 277 recommendations, of which 255 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 92%) in the first two cycles of the UPR. Canada’s previous recommendations dealt with gender equality, action on violence against women and law enforcement.

Albania’s constitution protects human rights and, according to independent reports, the laws are consistent with international human rights standards in most areas. Although human rights are generally respected in Albania, in practice, some issues require close attention.

In terms of gender equality, Albania has made some progress since its last review, such as enacting the Law on Measures against Violence in Family Relations and the National Strategy for Gender Equality and Action Plan 2016-2020, which aim to coordinate the efforts of all institutions in order to achieve equality. The participation of women in political life has visibly increased. Services to help victims of domestic violence have been strengthened. Despite an adequate legislative framework, many employers still do not comply with the obligation to offer equal pay for equal work, an issue that was raised by Canada in the previous cycle. The prevalence of domestic violence and sexual harassment remains concerning.

In terms of freedom of the media, the right to freedom of expression is generally respected. However, the OSCE representative on freedom of the media and the organization Civil Rights Defenders have criticized the government and its requirement that online information sites register with tax authorities in the context of an anti‑defamation campaign. It has also been reported that the government, businesses and criminal groups have tried to inappropriately influence the media. Albania’s journalists’ union has expressed its concerns in this respect.

The recognition of property rights is also a complex issue that, as long as it is not resolved, violates the rights of numerous legitimate owners. According to the 2018 report of the US State Department on human rights in Albania, thousands of claims for private and religious property that was seized during the Communist era are still pending. The fragmentation of legislation on property rights has made progress difficult. The owners' compensation process is slow and corrupt, forcing many people to go to court and even to the European Court of Human Rights. To date, the European Court has issued approximately 29 rulings in this area, for a financial cost estimated at around US $50 million. About 400 other applications are pending review, and execution of judgments is slow.

Recommendations

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada welcomes the progress Albania has made since the last review, particularly the actions taken to strengthen gender equality. However, additional actions could be adopted to ensure that everyone’s basic rights are fully respected.

Canada recommends that Albania:

1. continue to fight against gender inequality, particularly by allocating the necessary resources to address violence against women and by fostering compliance with the principle of equal pay for equal work.
2. encourage freedom of the media by conducting investigations and taking action to ensure that laws against defamation and slander are not being used to initiate legal action with the goal of intimidating journalists.
3. take additional actions to end legal uncertainty and informality in the area of property rights, particularly in rural areas, by clarifying the criteria that allows individuals to benefit from a property right and by addressing the issue of non‑registered properties.