Two days ago, the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, visited Albania and met with the country’s Prime Minister to discuss the EU-funded economic growth plan. However, what was not discussed during this visit was the persistently high level of gender inequality, the ongoing violence against women and girls, and the open discrimination against the most vulnerable groups — particularly LGBTIQ+ persons, Roma, and people with disabilities.
After more than a year of consultations with civil society and international partners, in August the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare submitted to the Albanian Parliament the draft-Law on Gender Equality. The purpose of the law is to align Albania’s legislation with the European Union Acquis and the Istanbul Convention, by strengthening state measures to achieve gender equality, guarantee the right to gender identity as a basic human right, and strengthen the national gender equality mechanism.
Unfortunately, since the publication of the draft for public consultation, both individual activists and our organizations have faced personal attacks — especially from organized religious groups and far-right politicians opposing gender equality and identity. Through misinformation, they have portrayed this initiative as contrary to so-called “traditional” social norms, simply because it guarantees respect for all gender identities. LGBTIQ+ organizations and allies have been publicly targeted and falsely accused in the media of “wanting to turn Albanian children homosexual or transgender” — a deliberate lie and manipulation of public opinion.
The draft law represents one of the most important legal reforms to bring Albania’s framework into full alignment with European standards on equality and non-discrimination. Any attempt to weaken or amend it in ways that limit the concept of gender equality or exclude certain groups from legal protection would be a serious setback for Albania and its European integration path.
We express our grave concern over the tense atmosphere and disinformation campaigns surrounding this debate. Yesterday, the media revealed that the Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Mr. Taulant Balla, had requested significant changes to the draft law — changes that would remove essential provisions, including the guarantee of respect for gender identity. Such proposals undermine the very purpose of the draft law and violate both the Albanian Constitution and international treaties ratified by the state.
Failure to adopt this law as drafted by the Ministry of Health raises a fundamental question: Does Albania truly wish to join the European family and uphold its values of equality, respect, and human rights for all citizens? Adopting the law with the Socialist Party’s proposed amendments would endanger Albania’s compliance with EU standards and have direct consequences for its accession process:
- It would undermine alignment with Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) of the EU Acquis, which requires full respect for the European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention, as well as the UN CEDAW Convention.
- It would jeopardize progress under Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment), which includes implementation of EU Directives on gender equality between women and men in employment and society, including Directive 2006/54/EC.
- It would seriously damage Albania’s international reputation as a candidate country that has made significant progress on women’s rights and equality, signalling democratic regression and institutional instability in the human rights field.
- It would threaten EU political and financial support to Albania, as progress is conditional on upholding the EU’s core values, including respect for human rights and equality.
We therefore, firmly call for:
- The Parliament of Albania to adopt the Draft Law on Gender Equality in its entirety, as proposed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, without amendments that distort the definition of gender equality or limit the protection of individuals based on gender identity or expression. The Albanian Government and its institutions, under its Constitution and international commitments, have the duty to guarantee and respect human rights equally, not ignore or suppress them.
- The parliamentary debate shall be transparent and inclusive, involving key civil society organizations working on gender equality, women’s, youth and children’s rights, and vulnerable groups — as well as gender experts from academia and international institutions.
- The European institutions to closely monitor the process while strongly urge the Albanian Government to uphold the highest EU standards and fulfil its obligations under the Acquis and international norms.
- The Government and Parliament of Albania shall publicly reaffirm their commitment to equality, freedom, respect for human rights, and the protection of human dignity — as core values upon which Albania’s European integration will be based upon.
If Albania fails to protect the principles of gender equality and human rights at this decisive moment, it will lose credibility before its citizens and the European Union, as the accession process is built on the unconditional respect of these values.
Respectfully yours,
- Child Rights Centre Albania (CRCA–ECPAT Albania)
- Alliance Against LGBTI Discrimination
- Foundation for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ADRF)
- “Together” Foundation
- Albanian Human Rights Group
- Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)
- Albanian Coalition for Education (ACE)
- National Child Helpline – ALO 116-111
- National Safer Internet Centre in Albania
- Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA)
- Malaj Consulting
- Useful to Albanian Women (NDGSH)
- PINK Embassy Albania
- Gender Alliance for Development Centre
- Women’s Centre “Light Steps”
- H.A.N.A. Youth Centre
- National Centre for Community Services (NCCS)
- Centre for Gender Justice
- Centre “Edlira Haxhiymeri” Women’s Shelter
- Centre LGBTI Shelter
- Centre for Legal and Civic Initiatives (CLCI)
- Albanian Women Empowerment Network (AWEN)
- Roma Veritas Albania
- Albanian National Youth Network (ANYN)
- Pro LGBT Association
- Albanian National, Professional, Businesswomen and Crafts’ Association
- National Association Education for Life
- Different & Equal