Freedom House reminds Albania that corruption still a serious problem

TIRANA, Oct. 20 – Freedom House said, in its last report, that corruption and judicial shortcomings remained serious problems in Albania.
The FH report said that although corruption pervades all areas of life, the government appears to be making some efforts to address the problem.
While the constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and freedom of the press has improved since the fall of communism, problems remain, it added.
The intermingling of powerful business, political, and media interests inhibits the development of independent outlets, and suits against journalists for legitimate criticisms are common. Journalists are still subject to intimidation and attacks, although the identity and motives of the perpetrators are not always clear.
Albania has avoided the interreligious turmoil suffered by its neighbors.
The report also said that effective collective bargaining remains limited, and union contracts are often difficult to enforce.
The constitution provides for an independent judiciary, but the structure of the judicial system leaves room for government pressure. The judiciary and law enforcement agencies are inefficient and prone to corruption, and judicial proceedings can be unjustifiably delayed. Further, enforcement of court decisions remains weak, especially when they go against government interests.
Also, lawlessness plagues large parts of Albania. Weak state institutions have augmented the power of crime syndicates, and international law enforcement officials claim that Albania has become an important transshipment point for drug smugglers.
In the north, traditional tribal law and revenge killings have often come to fill the void left by the state.