Lack of prosecution of government officials and corruption remain to pose serious problems in Albania. In the report by the US Department of State in 2020, it says that criminal prosecution and especially the sentencing of high government officials that violate their post, were sporadic and infrequent.
‘During 2020, the report says, Albania was faced with several important matters concerning human rights like the autonomy of the judicial system, limitation in freedom of speech; corruption across all government branches and institutions as well as the lack of enforcement for laws on minors.’
According to the data, corruption is so far spread out in the branches of government, that high officials are often involved in corrupt practices and still manage to escape punishment. The examples include a candidate for mayor in 2019, previously convicted for drug trafficking. Even though the Constitution foresees an autonomous judicial system, political pressure and corruption have had their influence on fair judgment.
‘Voice of America’ (VOA) cites the US State Department saying that court hearings weren’t open for the public. During 2020, the government and criminal groups tried to influence the media, by exerting political and economic pressure or by using threats and violence towards journalists trying to investigate crime and corruption.
The report mentions the events of December 8th in Tirana, when the State Police shot and killed Klodjan Rasha for violating the curfew hours set in place for COVID-19.
Lack of sentencing for unlawful actions committed by the police, says the report, remains a problem even though the government is making big efforts in order to resolve it.
The report also states that harsh physical conditions as well as lack of medical care, especially for mental health, were among the other serious issues as well as corruption in prisons. Even though the constitution foresees an autonomous judicial system, political pressure, fear, outspread corruption and limited sources, often prevented the system from functioning in an independent and effective way. In addition, the report states that business owners freely use their medias, in order to profit favors and to promote their interests to the various political parties.
