Albania: Treatment of Socialist Party members and supporters by state authorities and by Democratic Party members and supporters since the Parliamentary election of July 2005 (July 2005-2006)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 21 February 2006 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ALB100979.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Albania: Treatment of Socialist Party members and supporters by state authorities and by Democratic Party members and supporters since the Parliamentary election of July 2005 (July 2005-2006), 21 February 2006, ALB100979.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/45f147dd2.html [accessed 17 September 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. |
Information on the treatment of Socialist Party members and supporters by state authorities and by Democratic Party members and supporters since the Parliamentary election of July 2005 was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), relating complaints received by the Civil Service Commission, whose function is "specifically to address complaints by civil service employees," reported claims of dismissals owing to participation in political activities (9 Jan. 2006). According to the AHC, the Civil Service Commission issued 34 decisions in December 2005 regarding unjust dismissals and of these 34, 19 cases were based on political participation (AHC 9 Jan. 2006). The AHC further reported that the Civil Service Commission deemed the above-mentioned cases of dismissal to be "unfounded" and authorized the claimant's return to their positions (ibid.). However, the public administration has not respected the Commission's decisions and the employees were not allowed to resume their posts, which the AHC views as constituting a "legal violation" (ibid.).
Another source alleged that the building authorities in Albania, perhaps acting as a political arm against the opposition, discriminated against Socialists insofar as they mainly destroyed property or buildings that were occupied by Socialists (Korrieri 6 Jan. 2006).
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) reported that the head of the Socialist Party in Peshkopia was stabbed in the arm in August 2005, however, the news article does not specify if the attack was politically motivated (24 Aug. 2005).
In its Operational Guidance Note on Albania, the United Kingdom Home Office indicated that
[t]hough the Democratic Party is currently in power in Albania, rogue elements of its local/regional membership in the context of this category of claim [membership to political party] do not constitute the state authorities. There is therefore no evidence that individual members of the Democratic or Socialist Party would not be able to access protection from the authorities should they need it (12 Jan. 2006).
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 for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC). 9 January 2006. "Illegal Dismissals and Failure to Execute Civil Service Commission Decisions for Resumption of Jobs Violate Human Rights." Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) [Tirana]. 24 August 2005. "Peshkopia SP Head Stabbed With Knife, Author at Large." (ATA English News Service/Factiva)
Korrieri [Tirana, in Albanian]. 6 January 2006. Alfred Peza. "L'Albanie saisie par la fièvre des destructions." (Le Courrier des Balkans). United Kingdom (UK). 12 January 2006. Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Operational Guidance Note: Albania. Additional Sources Consulted
Internet sites, including: Albanian Human Rights Group, Albanian News and Information Network, Amnesty International, Balkan Web, British Broadcasting Corporation, Council of Europe, European Country of Origin Information Network, Factiva, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, Open Society Foundation for Albania, Open Society Institute, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Republic of Albania People's Advocate (Ombudsman's Office), United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, United States Department of State.