TIRANA, May 9 – Ombudsman Igli Totozani brought to public attention the government’s failure to listen to his recommendations regarding the respecting of human rights in the country.
The Ombudsman presented a picture of the human rights situation in Albania in 2015 during an auditorium, which was also attended by foreign diplomats in the country.
In total there were 4,203 complaints filed with the Ombudsman, while the latter asked for more cooperation by the government for the protection of human rights.
“Often the public administration turns a deaf ear and does not cooperate or react towards recommendations or proposals made by the Ombudsman,” Totozani said.
The Ombudsman also highlighted the fact that 14.3 percent of the population lives in absolute poverty, whereas 2.2 percent live in extreme poverty and that the current social system in the country has failed to provide help for these strata.
U.S. ambassador in Tirana Donald Lu, present in the auditorium, criticized the government for the lack of willingness to communicate with the Ombudsman.
“Mr. Totozani has a great cooperation with the international community. He has strong relations with the civil society. What’s lacking is the government’s willingness to dialogue with the Ombudsman. I am hoping to see a readiness by the government to cooperate in the future,” Lu said.
Meanwhile, OSCE ambassador in Albania Florian Raunig considered the Ombudsman’s recommendations as “valuable with regard to the strengthening of the rule of law and the respect of human rights in Albania” .
