Human Rights in Albania: Analytical Report 2025-2026

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Photo: Albania - reziemba

Albania human rights remain a serious concern despite the country's progress toward European Union membership. Albania became an EU candidate in 2014, and accession negotiations opened in 2022. However, deep problems persist. Blood feuds still kill people. Domestic violence affects more than half of all women. Trafficking continues. Corruption weakens the justice system. For expert witnesses and asylum decision-makers, understanding these issues is essential. This analytical report examines Albania human rights conditions across political, social, and legal areas.

The report draws on evidence from the European Commission, the US Department of State, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Freedom House, and the Council of Europe. It covers the period from 2023 through early 2026 and provides analysis relevant to asylum claims involving Albanian nationals.

Executive Summary

Albania is a small country in the Western Balkans with a population of about 2.8 million. It has been an EU candidate since 2014. The government has made some legal reforms, especially in the justice system. However, serious human rights problems continue. Blood feuds, known as gjakmarrja in Albanian, force thousands of families to live in self-isolation. Domestic violence is widespread. The police often do not protect victims. Trafficking of women and girls remains a problem. Corruption runs through the political system and the courts.[1]

Albania has good laws on paper. The Constitution protects basic rights. The Criminal Code punishes domestic violence. Anti-trafficking laws exist. However, there is a large gap between what the law says and what happens in practice. The police, courts, and government agencies often fail to enforce these laws. This is why many Albanians still seek asylum in other countries despite Albania's status as an EU candidate.

For asylum claims, the key question is always: does the state provide effective protection? In Albania, for many groups, the answer is no. Blood feud families cannot get real protection from the police. Women who report domestic violence are often sent back to their abusers. Trafficking victims face re-trafficking. This report examines each of these issues in detail.

Political Context: EU Candidate with Deep Problems

Albania applied for EU membership in 2009. It became a candidate country in 2014. Accession negotiations formally opened in July 2022 as part of a joint process with North Macedonia. The EU has set clear conditions. Albania must reform its justice system, fight corruption, and protect human rights. Progress has been slow.[2]

The political system is dominated by two main parties. The Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, has been in power since 2013. The Democratic Party, the main opposition, has faced internal splits and leadership disputes. Political polarization is strong. The opposition has boycotted parliament at various times. This has weakened democratic oversight and made reforms harder to achieve.

Corruption is one of Albania's biggest problems. Transparency International ranked Albania 110th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Corruption affects the police, the judiciary, and local government. Public officials sometimes have links to organized crime. The EU has repeatedly warned that corruption threatens Albania's path to membership.[3]

Judicial Reform: The Vetting Process

In 2016, Albania started a major judicial reform. This included a "vetting" process. An independent body reviews all judges and prosecutors. It checks their assets, their professional ability, and any links to organized crime. By 2025, the vetting process had dismissed or caused the resignation of over 60% of the judges and prosecutors reviewed. This shows how deep corruption was in the justice system.[4]

However, the vetting process also created a new problem. Many courts now lack judges. Cases take longer. Some courts cannot function properly. This means that victims of crimes, including domestic violence and blood feuds, wait even longer for justice. The European Commission noted in its 2024 progress report that Albania still needs to fill many judicial vacancies.

Human Rights Violations: Key Areas of Concern

Blood Feuds and the Kanun Code

Blood feuds are one of Albania's most distinctive human rights problems. They are based on the Kanun, a set of customary laws that date back to the 15th century. The Kanun was written down by Leke Dukagjini. Under the Kanun, if a man kills another man, the victim's family has the right to kill a male member of the killer's family. This is called gjakmarrja, which means "blood-taking."[5]

Blood feuds were largely suppressed during the communist period (1944-1991). After communism fell, they returned. The state was weak. People lost trust in the justice system. They turned back to the Kanun to settle disputes. Today, estimates suggest that between 3,000 and 10,000 families are affected by blood feuds. Most are in northern Albania, in areas like Shkoder, Tropoje, and Kukes. However, blood feuds have spread to other parts of the country too.

Families under blood feud often live in self-isolation. This means they cannot leave their homes. Men and boys are the main targets, but the entire family suffers. Children cannot go to school. Adults cannot go to work. In some cases, families have lived this way for years or even decades. The government abolished the National Coordinator for Blood Feuds in 2013. Since then, there has been no dedicated state body to address this problem.[6]

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is extremely common in Albania. According to a survey by INSTAT (the Albanian statistics agency), 52.9% of women have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. Furthermore, 36.6% of women experienced violence in the past 12 months. These numbers are among the highest in Europe.[7]

Albania has laws against domestic violence. Law 9669 of 2006, "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations," allows victims to get protection orders. The Criminal Code, Article 130, makes domestic violence a criminal offence. However, enforcement is very poor. Police often treat domestic violence as a "family matter." They tell victims to go home and reconcile with their abusers. Protection orders are often not enforced. There are only about 200 shelter places in the entire country for domestic violence victims.

Trafficking in Persons

Albania is a source country for trafficking in persons. Women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Men and boys are trafficked for forced labour. Traffickers often target vulnerable people, including those from poor families, Roma communities, and rural areas. The US Department of State has kept Albania on its Tier 2 Watch List, which means the country does not fully meet minimum standards to fight trafficking.[8]

The government has an anti-trafficking law and a National Action Plan. However, victims report that police sometimes cooperate with traffickers. Witness protection is weak. Victims who testify against traffickers face threats. Shelters for trafficking victims are few and underfunded. Many victims do not come forward because they fear retaliation.

Corruption and Organized Crime

Corruption and organized crime are connected in Albania. Drug trafficking, especially cannabis cultivation, has historically been a major problem. Organized crime groups have influence over local politics and law enforcement. The Albanian police and judiciary have been described by international observers as vulnerable to corruption. Consequently, people who are victims of crime often cannot get proper protection from the state.[9]

Police Impunity

Police use of excessive force and impunity remain concerns. The Albanian Helsinki Committee and other NGOs have documented cases where police used violence during arrests or detention. Complaints against police officers rarely lead to prosecution. The Internal Affairs Service investigates complaints, but outcomes often favour the police. This lack of accountability weakens public trust in law enforcement.

Persecution of Specific Groups

Women: A Domestic Violence Epidemic

Women in Albania face a very high risk of domestic violence. Social attitudes often blame the victim. Many families and communities see domestic violence as a private matter. Women who try to leave abusive relationships face many barriers. They often have no income of their own. Housing is difficult to find. Their families may pressure them to return to their husbands. The legal system often fails them.[10]

Albanian women who experience violence face a system that fails them at every level. The police dismiss their complaints. The courts are slow. Shelters are full. Society tells them to stay and endure.

Council of Europe GREVIO, Baseline Evaluation Report on Albania, 2017 (updated assessment 2024)

The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women (GREVIO) has criticised Albania multiple times. GREVIO found that police training on domestic violence is not enough. It also found that the number of shelters is far too low. Only about 200 shelter places exist for a country of 2.8 million people. Many women do not report violence because they believe nothing will change.

LGBTQ+ Community: Legal Protection but Social Hostility

Albania has some legal protections for LGBTQ+ people. The law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Albania was the first Muslim-majority country to hold a Pride parade, in 2012. However, social attitudes remain very hostile. A 2023 survey found that over 60% of Albanians believe homosexuality is "not acceptable." LGBTQ+ people face harassment, threats, and violence. Many do not report incidents to the police because they fear further discrimination.[11]

The gap between law and reality is wide. While discrimination is illegal, police officers sometimes share the prejudices of the general population. LGBTQ+ people in rural areas face the greatest risks. Family rejection is common. Some LGBTQ+ Albanians face "honour"-based violence from their own families. The state does not provide adequate support for LGBTQ+ victims of violence.

Roma and Egyptian Minorities

Roma and Egyptian communities in Albania face widespread discrimination. They have lower access to education, healthcare, and employment. Many live in informal settlements without proper housing. Roma children are more likely to drop out of school. Roma families are also more vulnerable to trafficking. The government has a National Action Plan for Roma, but implementation is slow and underfunded.[12]

Blood Feud Families: Self-Isolation

Families affected by blood feuds face a unique form of persecution. The men in these families cannot leave their homes without risking death. Children are sometimes included in the feud. The government does not provide safe houses or relocation for blood feud families. Police sometimes tell families to "stay inside" rather than offering real protection. Education is disrupted because children cannot attend school safely. Economic life becomes impossible.[13]

An estimated 3,000 or more families live in self-isolation because of blood feuds. Some organisations put the number much higher. These families often live in extreme poverty because they cannot work. International organisations, including UNHCR, have expressed concern about the situation. However, the Albanian government has consistently downplayed the scale of the problem.

Legal Framework: Good Laws, Poor Implementation

Albania's Constitution, adopted in 1998, protects fundamental rights. These include the right to life, freedom from torture, freedom of expression, and equality before the law. Albania has also ratified major international human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women (Istanbul Convention).[14]

Key Domestic Laws

• Criminal Code: Article 130 criminalises domestic violence. Articles 110-128 cover trafficking offences. Article 78/a covers murder in the context of blood feuds.
• Law 9669/2006: "On Measures Against Violence in Family Relations" provides for protection orders and emergency protection orders.
• Law 10/2021: Anti-trafficking law with provisions for victim identification, protection, and reintegration.
• Law 10221/2010: Anti-discrimination law covering sexual orientation and gender identity.

EU Harmonisation Efforts

As part of its EU accession process, Albania has been aligning its laws with EU standards. This includes reforms to the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and laws on data protection, asylum, and anti-money laundering. The EU has praised some of these changes. However, the European Commission has consistently noted that implementation lags behind legislation. In other words, the laws look good on paper, but they do not work well in practice.[15]

Internal Displacement: Blood Feud Families Confined to Homes

Blood feud families in Albania face a form of internal displacement that is unique in Europe. Unlike displacement caused by conflict or natural disaster, these families are trapped inside their homes. They are not refugees in the traditional sense. They live in their own houses. However, they cannot move freely. They cannot work. They cannot send their children to school. In effect, they are prisoners in their own homes.[16]

The scale of this problem is disputed. The Albanian government says the number of families in self-isolation is small, perhaps a few hundred. NGOs and international organisations give much higher figures. The People's Advocate (Albania's ombudsman) has acknowledged that thousands of families may be affected. A 2018 study by the Albanian Foundation for Conflict Resolution estimated at least 3,000 families living in blood feud-related self-isolation.

Internal relocation within Albania does not solve the problem. Albania is a small country, only 28,748 square kilometres. Everyone knows everyone. Family networks are strong. A family that moves to another city can be found easily. Blood feuds follow families wherever they go within Albania. This is why many blood feud families seek asylum abroad. They see international protection as their only option for safety.[17]

Asylum Context and Displacement Patterns

Albanian nationals make up a significant number of asylum seekers in the UK and across Europe. Many claims are based on blood feuds, domestic violence, or trafficking. Decision-makers sometimes treat Albanian claims with scepticism because Albania is an EU candidate country. However, this approach is wrong. EU candidate status does not mean that a country is safe for everyone.[18]

The UK has designated Albania as a "safe country of origin" for some purposes. However, the Upper Tribunal has recognised that certain categories of Albanians do face real risk. In particular, blood feud cases and trafficking victims have received protection in some appeals. Each case must be assessed on its individual facts. A blanket assumption of safety is not appropriate.

Return Risk Assessment

The risk faced by Albanians who are returned from abroad depends on their specific situation. Blood feud families face an immediate risk to life. Domestic violence victims face a high risk of further violence. Trafficking victims face a risk of re-trafficking. LGBTQ+ people face social violence and family rejection. Roma face discrimination and poverty.[19]

State protection is not effective for these groups. The police are often unwilling or unable to help. The courts are slow and sometimes corrupt. Internal relocation does not work for most people because Albania is a small country with strong family and social networks. A domestic violence victim who moves to another city will often be found by her abuser. A blood feud family that moves will still be known and targeted.

For asylum decision-makers, the key factors are clear. Albania has good laws but very poor implementation. State protection is not effective for the most vulnerable groups. Internal relocation is not a real option for many people. Each claim must be assessed individually, but the evidence shows that many Albanians face a real risk of serious harm upon return. For more information on specific risk categories, see our human rights analysis.

Conclusion

Albania human rights conditions in 2025-2026 present a complex picture. The country has made progress on some fronts, including judicial reform and EU accession negotiations. However, fundamental problems remain. Blood feuds continue to kill people and imprison families in their homes. Domestic violence affects more than half of all women, and police enforcement is very weak. Trafficking continues. Corruption undermines the entire system.

The gap between law and practice is the central problem. Albania has modern laws that meet European standards. However, these laws are not properly enforced. The police do not protect victims. The courts are slow. Shelters are underfunded. Government agencies lack the resources and the will to implement their own laws. This gap creates real danger for vulnerable people.

For expert witnesses and asylum decision-makers, the evidence is clear. Albania's EU candidate status does not make it safe for everyone. Each asylum claim must consider the specific risks faced by the individual. The evidence presented in this report shows that blood feud families, domestic violence victims, trafficking victims, LGBTQ+ people, and Roma minorities all face real risks that the Albanian state cannot or will not address. Albania human rights conditions require careful and informed assessment in every case.