Overview of Human Rights in Albania

Unemployment, poverty, corruption and governmental indifference to the plight of its citizens are some of the current problems that Albania faces on a daily basis. While it has left behind much of the violence and instability that characterized its communist and early post-communist transitional phases, Albania continues to face serious human rights challenges. Torture, as well as and physical abuse of prisoners and detainees is widespread and media freedom is constantly undermined by violence against targeted journalists. Albania also continues to be a major transit point for human traffickers. Minorities, especially Roma, suffer discrimination and abuse on a daily basis. These, and other human rights abuses, are issues that Albania had to address before it concluded a Stabilization Agreement with the European Union, which was ultimately signed in 2006. Though Albania acceded to all human rights treaties between 1992 and 1994, it has not submitted reports of its own volition on the country's compliance with treaty obligations. More transparency with regards to its human rights policies and safeguards are needed in order for compliance to be monitored effectively.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

74th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.