On press freedom, the report highlights that “the constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media, and the government generally respected these rights, although defamation remained a criminal offense.”

In April, parliament established an ad hoc committee on disinformation, inviting members of the media and NGOs to participate and monitor its work. “Media outlets and civil society viewed these moves as a positive step toward safeguarding freedom of expression,” the report says.

The document also notes that “law and the constitution prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide the right of any person to challenge the legality of arrest or detention in court, and the government generally respected these provisions.”

However, judicial proceedings were slowed by a shortage of judges and prosecutors.
“Limited resources, inadequate space, poor court-calendar management, insufficient staff, and the absence of attorneys and witnesses also hampered timely adjudication. According to GDP figures, the vetting process of the justice system further exacerbated the problem, leaving vacancies in courts and prosecutors’ offices,” the report states.

On labor issues, the report points out that “the law provides for a minimum wage in all sectors, and the national minimum wage was higher than the national poverty threshold.”

Regarding refugee protection, it notes that “the government cooperated with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations to provide protection and assistance to refugees, returnees, asylum seekers, and other persons of concern.”

The report reiterates that Albania’s key human rights concerns in 2024 included “credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including self-censorship by journalists,” while again emphasizing that “the government took credible steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses.”

On freedom of the press, it adds that “citizens were free to openly criticize the government, including through traditional and social media, and they did so.”

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