The Ombudsman's Annual Report 2025: Overview of challenges and progress in human rights in Albania
2026-04-20 11:41:20
TiranaPost
Human rights and good governance standards in Albania were in the spotlight during the presentation of the 2025 Annual Report of the People's Advocate, a key document that analyzes the situation of respect for freedoms and fundamental rights in the country. The event took place at the Palace of Congresses, with the support of the Swiss Government's PACEP II project, and brought together representatives of state institutions, the diplomatic corps, international organizations, civil society and the media.
In his opening remarks, the Ombudsman, Endrit Shabani, emphasized the institution’s essential role in protecting citizens from administrative abuses and in promoting democratic standards. He underlined that the report serves not only as an analysis of the current situation, but also as a guide for public institutions towards improving policies and practices related to the respect of human rights.
The event was also welcomed by the Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament, Klodiana Spahiu, who highlighted the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in strengthening parliamentary oversight mechanisms. The Ambassador of Switzerland to Albania, H.E. Ruth Huber, and the Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, H.E. Silvio Gonzato, highlighted the support of international partners for the consolidation of the rule of law and the advancement of human rights standards in the country.
The first part of the event, moderated by journalist Lutfi Dervishi, focused on presenting the report's main findings and was followed by a question-and-answer session with journalists.
During the thematic session, the Ombudsman's commissioners presented the sectoral analyses of the report. Erinda Meli focused on issues of good governance and the rule of law, highlighting issues related to administrative accountability and property rights. Besnik Deda addressed aspects of civil and political rights, including police procedures, conditions in prisons, asylum and delays in the justice system. Vilma Shurdha presented findings on economic and social rights, with a focus on economic assistance, housing, healthcare and the protection of vulnerable groups.
Particular attention was also paid to the comments and recommendations of civil society representatives, who brought concrete perspectives from the field on the challenges in the implementation of human rights. Their contribution was assessed as essential for enriching the final report and for strengthening the dialogue between institutions and non-state actors.
