Together for Life participated in the consultation roundtable organized by the Albanian Parliament in the framework of drafting the Report on the situation, problems, difficulties, and challenges faced by human rights defenders in Albania. The report will be drafted based on the Resolution “On recognizing and supporting the activity of human rights defenders in promoting, fostering and protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, strengthening the Rule of Law and consolidating democracy”. The roundtable was organized by the Parliamentary Subcommittee “On Human Rights”.
Based on its activity, TFL presented the following conclusions and recommendations:
• During our work, we have not had any cases when we have been threatened, influenced or intimidated to renounce our duty to protect human rights;
• Hearings with the Albanian Parliament on sensitive issues related to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are realized;
• The right to peaceful assembly of civil society to protect the rights of various marginalized groups has been respected in accordance with the law;
• It is necessary that state institutions, central or subordinate engage not to “penalize” or deprive the citizens we represent from public services as a result of exercising their legal rights. The same recommendation also applies to the protection of personnel providing these services to these institutions;
• The need for reflection and deeper analysis by state institutions on the recommendations and decisions of independent and legally established institutions such as the People’s Advocate, the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, the Commissioner for the Right to Information and the Protection of Personal Data;
• Law no. 119/2014, “On the right to information”, is not respected at satisfactory levels by institutions providing health service;
• The need for better implementation by public bodies of Law no. 146/2014, “On notification and public consultation”, providing civil society contributions. The timing of the consultation should be sufficient to provide qualitative thoughts and suggestions and to develop effective public consultation.
