AI urges Albania to stop violence at women

TIRANA, May 23 – Amnesty International said in its last report that within Albania violence against women was common and few perpetrators were brought to justice. AI also found that women and children were trafficked for forced prostitution and other forms of exploitation. Detainees frequently alleged ill-treatment by police officers during, or in the hours following, arrest. Investigations and prosecutions related to such allegations were rare, although in some cases police officers were disciplined. Conditions of detention, especially pre-trial detention, were harsh. The report further noted that public debates about corruption and incompetence within the ranks of judges and prosecutors were frequent, but highly politicized and public confidence in the judiciary remained low. Certain legislative reforms were delayed because of political disputes related to forthcoming local elections, which led to the boycott of some parliamentary sessions by opposition deputies.