The Interfaith Council of Albania reacted with a press statement regarding the draft law “On sexual and reproductive health”.

In the statement provided, the Interfaith Council raised concerns about the lack of involvement of religious communities in the public hearing of this law, as an interested party in the case.

By means of a public letter addressed to higher institutions, the Council requested that the review of the draft law in question be stopped without its participation in the consultative sessions at the Ministry of Health; to recognize the right to submit observations, objections and objections regarding the draft law; as well as become part of the public hearings of this draft law.

In the opposite case, the Interfaith Council requests that the draft law “On sexual and reproductive health” not be passed in the Parliament of Albania.

Full reaction:

Based on its statutory rights, the Interfaith Council of Albania, after being informed through the media of the draft law “On sexual and reproductive health”, on April 29, 2024 convened the Board of the Presidency, together with a working group approved by the five religious communities, composed of specialists: lawyers, sociologists, theologians and doctors. During this meeting, the Interfaith Council raised concerns about the lack of involvement of religious communities in the public hearing of this law, as a stakeholder, and about the lack of a relationship that should accompany this draft law on the official website. The working group has presented before the Presidency Board the professional arguments regarding the bill in question and the negative effects it may have on the health of the individual, family and society.

After several days of intensive work by specialists in the field, the Interreligious Council of Albania, based on its statute, approved in 2007, addresses an open letter to the highest state institutions:

Assembly of the Republic of Albania – Speaker, Mrs. Lindita Nikolla and the Committee for Labor, Social Affairs and Health; The Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama; Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Minister Mrs. Albana Koçiu; People’s Advocate, Ms. Erinda Ballanca and for the information of the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj.

The Interfaith Council of Albania, as an interest group, requests to stop the review of the draft law in question without its participation in the consultative sessions at the Ministry of Health; to recognize the right to submit observations, objections and objections regarding the draft law; as well as become part of the public hearings of this draft law. In the opposite case, the Interfaith Council requests that the draft law “On sexual and reproductive health” not be passed in the Parliament of Albania.

With the desire that our requests, which represent the will and attitudes of all our believers, part of the five official religious communities and Albanian society, to receive the proper attention from law enforcement institutions and all together, let’s work for a better and safer future for the new generations, with faith in God and the law for the common good.

God bless Albania and all its citizens!

Board of the Presidency of the Interreligious Council of Albania

Haxhi Bujar Spahiu, Chairman of the Muslim Community of Albania

His Beatitude, Anastas Janullatos, Archbishop of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania

Monsignor Gjergj Meta, Chairman of the Episcopal Conference of Albania

Haxhi Dede Edmond Brahimaj, Great Grandfather of the Bektashi

Grandmother Pastor Ergest Biti, Chairman of the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania.