Tirana, 23 April 2025 – CRCA-ECPAT Albania, through this public statement, would like to express our deep concern regarding the statement made by the Albanian Prime Minister and at the same time the chairman of the Socialist Party, yesterday in an electoral meeting, where he referred to his political opponents behaving as being “autistic”.
This kind of comparison is not only deeply inappropriate but constitutes discriminatory language that insults and marginalizes an entire community – individuals and families – who face great challenges every day to live a life of dignity, respect and equal opportunities. Autism is a neurological disorder of the developmental spectrum, not a tool for ridicule, contempt or political denigration. The offensive use of the term stigmatizes people with autism, presenting them as a symbol of something negative or laughing at. It prevents national and international efforts to build an inclusive, diverse and sensitive society, while it sends the wrong message to public opinion, especially to young people who could learn to use the language of exclusion instead of that of acceptance.
As the head of the Government and of a state party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Prime Minister of Albania should be at the forefront of protecting the dignity and rights of all citizens, without exception. The language used by a political leader has great shaping power and should reflect respect for the most vulnerable groups in society, not use them as tools for political gain or denigration.
Based on this event, which is not the first during this election campaign, CRCA-ECPAT Albania calls all leaders of political parties taking part in the parliamentary elections:
- Stop once and for all the use of offensive, prejudiced or discriminatory words and language, not only towards vulnerable people and communities, but also towards each other. Children and young people should learn the best values of citizenship from their political leaders and not how to bully, ridicule or denigrate each other.
- Commit all together to develop a Code of Ethics against hate speech, labeling, denigration or prejudice in the public space, political parties, the Government and Parliament.
We strongly believe that such incident should serve as a good opportunity for the entire political leadership in Albania, to reflect and improve the approach towards all vulnerable communities and people. Assuming public responsibility is a sign of a mature and conscientious leadership who can make Albania a worthy candidate to be a member of the European Union.