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Transparency Lacking in Albania’s Public and Private Life

Albania is struggling to combat organized crime, corruption, and a lack of transparency in its public and private life. Despite having a well-established legal framework for international judicial cooperation and partnerships with various institutions at the international and regional levels, the country continues to face significant challenges.

Corruption and Lack of Transparency

Prominent political members are allegedly involved in corrupt or unethical practices with impunity, making it difficult to hold them accountable.
The perception of corruption within the justice system remains high, with reports of heavy sentences for ordinary citizens and light sentences for organized crime group members and corrupt state officials.

Limited Progress in Fighting Organized Crime

While law enforcement agencies have made some progress in combating drug trafficking and dismantling criminal groups, investigations and prosecutions often fail to target the upper echelons of these organizations.
As a result, little progress has been made in the fight against organized crime.

Money Laundering and Informal Economy

Albania is vulnerable to money laundering due to its limited ability to enforce the law, corruption, weak institutions, and significant informal economy.
The country’s lack of cybersecurity infrastructure and technical capacities also makes it difficult to protect its digital infrastructure.

Weak Institutions and Limited Rule of Law

The country’s weak institutions and limited rule of law make it challenging for businesses to operate effectively.
Contract enforcement is poor, financial intermediation is often informal, property rights are unclear, and corruption is widespread, all of which hinder private sector development.

Limited Support for Victims of Crime

Despite progress in passing legislation on the status and treatment of victims of crime, challenges persist at the implementation level.
There is a lack of support programs for victims, and only a limited number of public and private actors are involved in offering services.
The country lacks an integrated victim support system, and witness intimidation is common.

Limited Civil Society Engagement

Civil society organizations play a prominent role in providing support to trafficking victims, but their engagement in countering organized crime is limited.
Many civil society organizations rely on external donors for financial support, and public funding for civil society organizations is minimal and not yet legally regulated.

Conclusion

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Albania’s lack of transparency and corruption continue to hinder its progress in combating organized crime and promoting a free and independent media environment. It is essential that the country addresses these issues and works towards establishing a culture of transparency and accountability.