Pink Embassy urge the adoption of amendments to the family code

Tirana, 2 December 2014 - PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania attended and presented a series of recommendations at the hearing session organized by the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Human Rights, on the Albanian Ombudsman’s special report "The rights of LGBT people" . This discussion, the first of its kind in the Albanian Parliament, was attending by the civil society representatives, the Ombudsman, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, as well as representatives of MSWY and MPs.

In this session, Mr. Artan Karoly, PINK Embassy Director, proposed a series of recommendations based on the 5 years working experience of PINK Embassy in protecting the rights of LGBT people in the country and also to the Ombudsman’s report.

The main recommendations are relating to the change of Articles 163 and 164 of the Family Code to give possibility of same-sex couples to enter into civil union; improvement of legislation in the areas of employment, education, services and goods in accordance with the law on protection from discrimination; recognition of gender identity and gender change in non-discriminatory manner; to assess the situation of discrimination in our society through the evidences and studies especially in the areas of hate crimes, discrimination in schools, health services, employment’s discrimination, etc .; legal changes regarding hate crimes; support for the institutions of the Ombudsman and the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, as institutions of human rights that have addressed and support the LGBT community in the country.

The Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Ms. Nora Malaj, said that Albanian Parliament gives a very good model in drafting laws in cooperation with civil society, adding three moments that the education system launched in the prevention of discrimination, dealing with prevention, education and re-integration or integration.

Mr. Igli Totozani, Albanian Ombudsman, asked the Assembly to adopt a resolution to protect LGBT people from discrimination.

Ms. Vasilika Hysi, Speaker of the Sub-Commission on Human Rights, said that the Assembly will support the resolution and prevention of discrimination, which includes LGBT community, as this issue be discussed in the Committee of Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights, focusing on three main pillars, the role that the Assembly has to make laws; parliamentary control of the Assembly then monitoring institutions, government and constitutional institutions to implement and respect the freedoms and rights of LGBT people but also the obligation of the positive measures to create facilities for this community.

PINK Embassy commends the Albanian Parliament and the Subcommittee on Human Rights, for the series of consultations with civil society organizations within the legal improvements in this regard.

For more info please contact:
Mr. Artan Karoli
E-mail: pinkembassy@crca.al