WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

Albania Gender Alliance for Development Center

http://www.gadc.org.al/

Call to Action!

From the Albania Network of the Civil Society Organizations Against Gender Based Violence

TWO WIVES MURDERED WITHIN A DAY!  STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!

We, the Civil Society Organizations, are deeply concerned, shocked and discontent for the apparent increase of extreme cases of domestic violence during the past six months.  To date, in the year 2011, 17 women have lost their lives inside their family homes.  On behalf of the lost lives of the mothers and wives, of the children, fathers and grandchildren of these women, we call to action the Albanian society to raise its voice and the power of its opinion against the damage that this barbarian violence causes to our entire society.

As organizations of the civil society, we have full conviction that the daily and systematic violence that is exercised within the family, not only in the physical form but also in the psychological and economic forms, is the cause for the occurrance of such events.  Therefore, it is the duty of comptetent Albanian institutions to give the appropriate attention to the prevention, stopping, and punishment of domestic violence to its full extent. 

Besides these measures, and the continuing process for the economic empowerment of the family and Albanian women, special attention is needed for the strengthening and increase of effectiveness and implementation of the existing legal means.  In this situation, we greatly emphasize that more attention should be given to the implementation of the Family Code and to the law “For legal actions against violence in family relations”, from the courts, State Police, from the Prosecution, social units of the local governement, and bailiff offices, in order to increase the law’s efficiency in the daily battle of domestic violence.

At the same time, we believe that the absence of criminal punishment for domestic violence may bring such extreme cases.  Therefore, we ask that the Council of Ministers and the Parliament should hasten, establishing a special criminal action in the Penal Code, that will condemn the systematic violence that violates the diginity and the character of family members, especially women and children.  We, as civil society organizations, emphasize that these measures should be accompanied also with changes in the Code of Penal Procedures, in order that the criminal prosecution of domestic violators becomes a case that is pursued by the State, through the Prosecution office.  The latter, should not leave the victims alone during a long trial process.

We, the civil society organizations, express our willingness to increase collaboration with the state organizations and to pressure them to stop domestic violence.  Our Call To Action is for the protection of family values.  The understanding and peace of the entire Albanian society depends on the understanding and peace from these family values.

1.       CENTRE FOR LEGAL AND CIVIC INITIATIVES

2.       COUNSELING LINE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

3.       “REFLEKSIONE” ASSOCIATION

4.       GENDER ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT CENTER

5.       SHELTER FOR VIOLATED WOMEN AND GIRLS

6.       “USEFUL TO ALBANIAN WOMEN” ASSOCIATION

7.       INDEPENDENT FORUM FOR ALBANIAN WOMEN

8.       PARTNERS, ALBANIA

9.       VATRA CENTRE, VLORË

10.   ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS, DURRËS

11.   AGRITRA VISION, PESHKOPI

12.   WOMEN TO WOMEN, SHKODËR

13.   WOMEN’S CENTER “KRISTAL” – BERAT

14.   COUNSELLING CENTER FOR WOMEN AND SOCIAL SERVICES    KUKES

15.   MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER – GJIROKASTER

16.   WOMEN’S FORUM – ELBASAN

17.   “ME THE WOMAN” – POGRADEC

18.   ANOTHER VISION – ELBASAN

19.   COMMUNITY CENTER “TODAY FOR THE FUTURE”– DURRËS

20.   WOMEN’S CLUB “RESPECT” – PUKË

21.   COMMUNITY CENTER “TODAY FOR THE FUTURE” – ELBASAN

22.   COMMUNITY CENTER “THE APPLE’S FLOWER” – BURREL