Albania: Protection available to female victims of domestic violence (update to ALB22653.E of 19 January 1996)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 25 February 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ALB33911.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Albania: Protection available to female victims of domestic violence (update to ALB22653.E of 19 January 1996), 25 February 2000, ALB33911.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad4310.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Media reports indicate that domestic violence is a serious problem in Albania (Off Our Backs May 1997; DPA 15 Oct. 1996; The Irish Times 11 Mar. 1997; AP 30 Jan. 1996). A survey conducted by the Albanian women's group, Refleksione, in 1996 found that 64 per cent of the women questioned had experienced physical or psychological violence in their homes (ibid.; DPA 15 Oct. 1996; Off Our Backs May 1997). One report describes Albania as a "patriarchal, macho society" where there is a "culture of violence against women" (The Irish Times 11 Mar. 1997). Domestic abuse is rarely discussed in Albanian society and few women are aware of their rights (Off Our Backs May 1997; AP 30 Jan. 1996). An article in The Irish Times describes the police as "not particularly sympathatic" toward female victims of sexual or physical violence (11 Mar. 1997), with the result that few women dare report the crime (DPA 15 Oct. 1996; AP 30 Jan. 1996).
A 10 March 1999 report from the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women indicates that while Albania does have a national action plan, there is no law specifically addressing domestic violence, and no provision of social services by the government. There is no law addressing marital rape, with the result that it is not recognized as a crime in Albania (ibid.; The Irish Times 27 Sept. 1999). The UN report also notes that there are no protection or support services for victims of domestic violence, and that records and statistics on domestic violence are not kept (ibid.). The UN Special Rapporteur encouraged the government to take steps to develop a plan to address domestic violence and to combat traditional beliefs that contribute to domestic violence (ibid.).
Further information on domestic violence in Albania, including information on available legal protection, social attitudes toward women, and the responsiveness of the police and criminal justice system to complaints brought by women, can be found in the following documents: Chapter 10 of Human Rights Watch's Human Rights in Post-Communist Albania (March 1996); the April 1996 Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights (MAHR) report Domestic Violence in Albania; and section 5 of Country Reports 1999. All of these documents are available in Regional Documentation Centres.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
The Associated Press (AP). 30 January 1996. AM Cycle. Merita Dhimgjoka. "Survey Finds Two-Thirds of Albanian Women Targets of Violence." (NEXIS)
Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 15 October 1996. BC Cycle. "First Telephone Hotline in Albania." (NEXIS)
The Irish Times [Dublin]. 27 September 1999. Nuala Haughey. "Women Lose Gains Made in Eastern Europe." (NEXIS)
_____. 11 March 1997. City Edition. Catherine Cleary. "Macho Society Where Women Can Never Win." (NEXIS)
Off Our Backs. May 1997. Vol. 27, No. 5. Brigitte Alfter. "Refleksione: Listening to Albanian Women." (NEXIS)
United Nations. 10 March 1999. (E/CN/.4/1999/68). Violence Against Women in the Family.
Additional Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Albania country file.
Encyclopedia of Women's Associations Worldwide.
IRB databases.
LEXIS-NEXIS.
Research Directorate Albania legislation file.
Resource Centre Albania country file.
WIN News [Lexington, Mass.]. 1997-1999.
World News Connection (WNC).
Internet sites including:
Albania Online.
Albanian Daily News.
Amnesty International.
British Helsinki Human Rights Group (BHHRG).
Centre for Civil Society International (CCSI).
Feminist News and Events.
Hellenic Resources Network.
Human Rights Watch (HRW).
International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF-HR).
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
Slavic Research Centre.
Transitions [Prague].
United Nations (WomenWatch, UNIFEM, CEDAW, UNDP, UNICEF).
