Disinformation campaigns and attacks on civil society endanger Albania's draft Law on Gender Equality

Eurochild member Child Rights Centre Albania (CRCA-ECPAT Albania) expresses deep concern over coordinated anti-rights attacks and disinformation campaigns by media outlets and groups targeting organisations and activists supporting LGBTIQ+ rights.

After more than a year of consultations, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare submitted a draft Law on Gender Equality to Parliament in August. The law aims to align Albania’s legislation with the EU Acquis and the Istanbul Convention, promote gender equality, protect gender identity as a basic human right, and strengthen national mechanisms for equality.

Unfortunately, since the beginning of the public consultation, both individual activists and organisations have faced personal attacks, especially from organised religious groups and far-right politicians opposing gender equality and identity. Through disinformation, they have portrayed this initiative as contrary to so-called “traditional” social norms, simply because it guarantees respect for all gender identities.

LGBTIQ+ organisations and allies have been publicly targeted and falsely accused in the media of “wanting to turn Albanian children homosexual or transgender”, a deliberate lie and manipulation of public opinion.

As a result, the media revealed that the Chairman of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Mr. Taulant Balla, had requested significant changes to the draft law, changes that would remove essential provisions, including the guarantee of respect for gender identity.

The Draft Law on Gender Equality must be adopted in full. Failure to do this could, could:

• Undermine alignment with EU Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), which requires compliance with the ECHR, EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Istanbul Convention, and UN CEDAW.
• Jeopardise progress under EU Chapter 19 (Social Policy and Employment), particularly regarding gender equality directives such as Directive 2006/54/EC.
• Damage Albania’s international reputation as a candidate country, signalling democratic regression and institutional instability in human rights.
• Threaten EU political and financial support, as such aid depends on respect for human rights and equality.

Does Albania truly wish to join the European family and uphold its values of equality, respect, and human rights for all citizens? 

Further information:

• Read the full statement on CRCA's website
• Look at our campaign on fighting anti-rights movements
• Listen to our podcast episodes on the attacks on civil society and on shrinking funds