PUBLIC STATEMENT: The draft law on Gender Equality should be approved in its entirety and according to the version proposed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

Just two days ago, the President of the Council of the EU, Mrs. Von der Leyen visited Albania and met with the country's prime minister to discuss the country's economic growth plan, financed by the European Union. But what remained undiscussed at the meeting was the high level of gender inequality, violence against women and girls, open discrimination against the most vulnerable communities, especially LGBTIQ+, Roma and people with disabilities.

After over a year of discussions with civil society and all international partners, this August, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare sent the draft law on Gender Equality to the Albanian Parliament for approval. The purpose of the law extends to several plans, the most important of which include the alignment of Albania's legislation with that of the EU and the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe, the adoption of state measures to achieve gender equality, respect for gender identity, as a basic right for every free individual, as well as the strengthening of the national mechanism of gender equality.

Unfortunately, since the publication of the draft law on public consultation, we have faced both personal attacks and attacks on the organizations we represent, especially from organized religious faiths in the country and far-right politicians, who do not want to achieve gender equality in Albania. They have tried, through disinformation, to present the initiative as contrary to traditional social norms in the country, because, among other things, the law seeks to guarantee respect for all gender identities. Moreover, organizations representing the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies have been publicly attacked in the media for wanting to make children in Albania gay and transgender, which actually constitutes a deception and manipulation of public opinion.

This draft law represents one of the key and most important legal reforms that brings the legislation of our country in line with the European standards of equality and non-discrimination. Any attempt to amend this bill in order to weaken the concept of gender equality or to exclude certain categories of people from the legal protection that the state has a duty to provide to every individual, would constitute a serious step backwards for the country and our membership in the European Union.

Through this public statement we want to express our deep and serious concern about the tense climate and disinformation campaigns that are accompanying the public debate on the new draft law on Gender Equality in Albania. As if all this climate of disinformation, denigration and hatred were not enough, yesterday the media in the country made public the request of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, Mr. Taulant Balla, addressed to the Assembly of Albania, where he requests that serious changes be made to the draft law, eliminating some of the most essential improvements that have been made by the Ministry in its content, which includes, among other things, the guarantee of respect for gender identity, an obligation that stems from both the Constitution of Albania and the international acts ratified by the Albanian state. These proposals undermine the purpose of the presented draft law, directly affecting the non-fulfillment of national and international obligations that Albania has.

In our conviction, the non-adoption of the draft law according to the version presented by the Ministry of Health, raises a big and serious question mark whether Albania seriously wants to become part of the European family and its values of equality, respect and where human rights are respected and enjoyed by everyone without discrimination, exclusion or inciting hatred towards the most vulnerable citizens. We think that the adoption of the draft law with the amendments proposed by the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party, violates the fundamental principles of equality and human rights and will have direct consequences on the European integration process of Albania, because:

• It undermines compliance with Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) of the Acquis, which requires full compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Council of Europe's standards on gender equality (Stabil Convention), as well as the UN CEDAW Convention.
• Puts in direct jeopardy the progress made in Chapter 19 (Social Policies and Employment), which includes the implementation of the EU Directives on equality between women and men at work and in society, as well as Directive 2006/54/EC on equal treatment.
• It damages Albania's international reputation (political criterion) as a candidate country that has made significant steps to advance the rights of women and marginalized communities. Withdrawing from these principles would be a clear indication of democratic regression and lack of institutional stability in the field of human rights in Albania.
• It jeopardizes the EU's political and financial support in areas related to human rights, gender equality and social inclusion, as Albania's progress is conditional on the respect of the fundamental values of the Union, where respect for human rights is one of its basic criteria.

Therefore, based on this, the organizations that join this statement resolutely demand the following:

1. The Albanian Parliament should approve the draft law in the form and content proposed by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, without amendments that distort the meaning of gender equality, gender identity or when they limit the protection of individuals due to gender identity or habit. The Albanian state, based on the Constitution and international acts, has the duty to guarantee respect for gender identity and gender habits, but not to ignore or neglect them.
2. The parliamentary debate on the draft law, both in the Committees and in the Assembly, should take place in full transparency and with the participation of the main civil society organizations working in the field of gender equality, women's and girls' rights, children and vulnerable groups, the beneficiaries of which are directly affected by the law. The debate should also include the best gender experts from academia, as well as international institutions.
3. The European institutions, in order to closely follow the integration process, should urgently encourage the Albanian Government to maintain and strengthen the standards of approximation with the EU legislation in order for Albania to fulfill all obligations and guarantees stemming from the Acquis and international conventions.
4. The Government and the Assembly of Albania have a duty to publicly reaffirm their commitment to the values of equality, freedom, respect for human rights and above all the protection of human dignity, values which underpin its path to membership in the European Union.

If Albania fails to defend the principles of gender equality and human rights at this pivotal moment, it will not only lose credibility in front of its citizens, but also before the European Union, which builds membership on the unconditional respect of these values.

Respectfully,

1. Child Rights Center Albania (CRCA-ECPAT Albania)
2. Alliance Against LGBTI Discrimination
3. Foundation for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ADRF)
4. "Together" Foundation
5. Albanian Human Rights Group
6. Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC)
7. Coalition for Education in Albania (ACE)
8. National Children's Helpline – ALO 116-111)
9. National Safer Internet Hotline in Albania
10. Malaj Consulting
11. For the Benefit of Albanian Women (NDGSH)
12. Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA)
13. PINK Embassy Albania / PINK Embassy
14. Gender Alliance Center for Development
15. Women's Center "Easy Steps"
16. H.A.N.A Youth Center
17. National Center for Community Services (NCCS)
18. Center for Gender Justice
19. "Edlira Haxhiymeri" Shelter Center
20. LGBTI Shelter Center
21. Center for Civic Legal Initiatives (CLCI)
22. Women's Empowerment Network (AWEN)
23. Roma Veritas Albania
24. National Youth Network in Albania (ANYN)
25. Pro LGBT Association
26. National Association of Professional, Business and Crafts Women
27. National Association for Life Education
28. Different & Equal