WUNRN
Albania - Collaborative Public Statement in Support of LGBT Rights
Tirana, March 26, 2012
We would like to express our concern related to the public statements on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual (LGBT) persons in Albania issued during the last days by the Deputy Minister of Defense, Mr. Ekrem Spahiu, as well as by the representatives of several political parties.
We strongly condemn Mr. Spahiu’s statement, as it entails language that incites hate against LGBTs. We would like to remind Mr. Spahiu that members of the LGBT community are Albanian citizens like everyone else and enjoy full rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the respective laws, as well as by the international obligations that the Albanian state is committed to. More concretely, the article 18 of the Constitutions guarantees the equality of all citizens before the law.
LGBT people are honorable members of the communities where they live and work and enjoy the right to be respected like every other Albanian citizen, in particular by people in power and that serve in elected or appointed public positions. They are our sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends, cousins, or colleagues. Their private life is theirs to manage and under no circumstance can it be used as a pretext for them to be discriminated against, let alone threatened with physical violence. Mr. Spahiu’s statement is unacceptable, especially because it is issued by a public official, whose mandate is to respect all legal obligations stipulated by the state that is in turn supported by taxpayers, some of which are LGBT people. The obligations of a public official encompass the obligation to protect all citizens from discrimination, despite their sexual orientation, gender, race, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, as clearly laid out by the law “On Protection from Discrimination”.
Mr. Sahiu’s statement, as well as that by several political parties, goes clearly against the obligations that Albania has undertaken as part of the integration process in the European Union (EU). Protection of human rights, that includes the rights of LGBT people, is a corner stone of the EU integration process and a clear commitment made by the political class and the entire Albanian society.
Lastly, we fully support the initiative of the organizations that represent LGBTs in Albania who demand the dismissal of Mr. Spahia. Moreover, we congratulate the People’s Advocate, Mr. Igli Totozani, for his stand in support of LGBT rights, including his call for Mr. Spahiu to offer a public apology to the LGBT community, as well as the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner, Mrs. Irma Baraku that is currently investigating the situation created because of Mr. Spahiu’s statement.
1.
Vjollca Meçaj, Albanian
Helsinki Committee
2.
Sevim Arbana, the association
“Useful to Albanian Women”
3.
Iris Luarasi, the Counseling
Center for Women and Girls
4.
Arbër Mazniku, AGENDA
Institute
5.
Milva Ekonomi, AGENDA
Institute
6.
Juliana Hoxha, Partners
Albania
7.
Kozara Kati, Albanian Human
Rights Center
8.
Monika Kocaqi, women’s
association “Refleksione”
9. Brikena Puka, Psychological Social Support
Center "Vatra"
10. Ened
Mato, the association “The Program of Socially Stimulating Alternatives”,
Ecovolis – Your Bicycle!
11. Remzi Lani,
Albanian Media Institute
12. Holta Koçi, Community Assistance in Albania
13. Adrian Kati, The Albanian Center for the
Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and Trauma
14. Niko Mihali,
CIOFF Albanian International Section
15. Youth
Center - Vlora
16. Gledis Gjipali, European Movement in Albania
17. Rasim Gjoka, The Foundation for Conflict
Resolution and Mitigation of Disagreements
18. Vasil Muka, Education for an Open Society
19. The Foundation “Open Society for Albania” – Soros Foundation
20. Elira Zaka, The Center for Parliamentary
Studies
21. Ida Kostaj, Small Business Foundation
22. Rifat Demalija, the organization “Free
Youth Initiative”
23. Eda
Noçka, the Center "Albanian Institute for Legal and Territorial
Studies" (A.L.T.R.I)
24. Blerta Cani, the Albanian Foundation for
the Rights of Disabled People
25. Adriatik
Hasantari, Roma Active Albania
26. Plejada Gugashi, Olof Palme International
Center
27. Shega Murati, the association
"Children’s Voice Calling"
28. Liljana Çela, the Counseling Center
for Women and Girls, Berat
29. Lefteri Kosova, Women’s Center, Berat
30. The Center for Children’s Rights in Albania
31. Shkëlqim Hajno,
the Jonian Agency for Environment, Media, and Information
32. Vera Istrefaj, The Center for Counseling
and Social Support to Women
33. The Association of Greek Minority Artists,
Gjirokastër
34. Aurela Anastasi, the Center for Civic
Legal Initiatives
35. Teuta Mustafa
Hoxha, The Institute for Environmental Management and Integration
36. Mirela Arqimandriti, the Center for Gender
Alliance for Development
37. Marjana Biba, Orphans Association, Durrës
branch
38. Andi Kananaj, Res Publica Center
39. Elona Gjebrea, Albanian Family Planning
Association
40. Delina Fico, women’s rights activist
41. Valdet
Sala, civil society expert
42. Elira
Sakiqi, expert at the World Bank
43. Ariana Haxhiu,
management and capacity development expert
44. Florent Qosja, human rights activist
45. Ines Xhelili, women’s rights activist
46. Suela
Thanasi, citizen
47. Dorata Hyseni, citizen
48. Adela Halo, citizen
49. Bledina Bushi, staff at the UNDP Albania,
Durrës office
50. Alba Çela, EU integration expert
51. Blerina Mataj, children rights expert
52. Ada Shima, women’s rights activist
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Contact: 069 40 988 65