European union – albania stabilisation and association committee 11 March 2015 table of contents political criteria 3

6. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT

6.1 JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY

• Follow-up of visa liberalisation

The monitoring process of the visa liberalization for the Albanian citizens towards EU/Schengen countries has been one of the main mechanisms where Border Police is based on to reduce negative phenomena and in particular those related to asylum seekers and their exceeding period in the EU/Schengen countries.

During 2013, 3.797.958 Albanian nationals have been travelling toward EU/Schengen countries and the entry in these countries has been turned down to 11.946 people.

It results that in 2014, 68% of citizens have been refused to enter Greece while the remained part, 32% have been refused to entry in other EU countries. In 2013, 63% of citizens have been refused to enter Greece while the remained part, 37% have been refused to enter in the other EU countries. This occurs because of direct maritime communication from Durres and Vlora, as well as direct flights from Tirana airport towards Belgium, Austria, Slovenia and Germany.

In the framework of the implementation of the standard procedures and visa liberalization monitoring process, during 2013 there have been carried out 7308 refusals to Albanian citizens exiting Albania and for 3315 of them the refusal was carried out because of their previous deportation from EU/Schengen countries and they do not have the right to enter this territory.

Concerning measures taken by Border and Migration Police to identify the Albanian citizens who seek to change their generalities in order to avoid the refusal to entry in Schengen countries, it results that during 2013 there have been done 2870 requests to change generalities while these requests for 2014 have been reduced in only 261, due to the Law No.130/2013 “On some amendments and addenda” in the Law No. 10129, dated 11.05.2009 “On civil status” amended.

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  A commercial has been prepared and transmitted in the Media to raise the awareness of the Albanians in order that they respect the rules of entry and stay in Schengen countries by eliminating the abuses with the right to circulate without visas in EU”;
  
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  The returns in Albania of the Albanian nationals who have abused with the free visa regime have been transmitted in the Media. Also, messages of ambassadors of the EU countries have been broadcasted in order to raise the public awareness on respecting the rules of visa free regime in the EU countries.
  

• Follow-up of the 2014 Progress Report and the conclusions of the May 2014 Subcommittee meeting, (Except issues already discussed under point3), with particular focus on the implementation of the law against discrimination, progress in the areas of gender and children's rights, protection of minorities including Roma.

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  Examining cases by the CPD
  
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  Assistance to the victims in courts
  

In the period from January 1^st 2014 until December 31^st 2014, the CPD has handled a total of 308 cases (290 complaints and 18 ex-officio cases). From these, 180 cases (172 complaints and 8 ex- officio cases) recorded in 2014, and 128 cases (118 complaints and 10 ex – officio cases) carried over from 2013. During 2014, 166 complaints have been submitted to the CPD, from which 166 complaints from various individuals and 6 complaints from organizations with a legitimate interest. We estimate that individual complaints are expression of community increased awareness on the Law "On Protection from Discrimination" and the remedies provided by it.

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  Informative Brochure “Protection of Minorities in Albania pursuant to the Law on Protection from Discrimination”⁸. This brochure has been prepared in Albanian, English and Romanian (1000 copies published), from which have been published 1000 pieces of Brochures in Albanian.
  
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  Publication of a translated “Summary of decisions of the EU Court of Justice, European Court of Human Rights, and Equality Bodies” in 1000 copies. This publication is distributed initially in all Courts of First Instance of Albania, Courts of Appeal, Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Public and Private Universities and NGOs that defend human rights.
  
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  Manual "Protection from Discrimination-Training Manual for NGO-s”. This manual was published in 1500 copies and is available in Albanian.
  
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  The Manual "Protection from Discrimination of Marginalized Ethnic Minorities", realized under the SSIREC project.
  
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  The booklet "Report Discrimination!” under the SSIREC project, in 1000 copies.
  
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  A “Summary of CPD decisions and Opinions of the Board of Experts” was published in English and Albanian in 800 copies.
  
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  Publication of the “Source Guide on the Protection from Gender Discrimination in Economic Sector”.⁹
  
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  Leaflet "Information sheet for public officials on LGBT issues"¹⁰ published in cooperation with the state institutions and Pink Embassy and distributed in various activities.
  
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  The CPD has developed a Draft "Commentary on the Law "On protection from discrimination” in December 2014.
  
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  An Informative Brochure “On provision of goods and services” was drafted by the CPD.
  
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  An Informative Brochure “On employment in the public and private sector” was drafted by the CPD.
  

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  protected grounds of discrimination for which is offered protection
  
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  forms of discrimination
  
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  distribution of the burden of proof
  

During 2014, the CPD has sent 7 (seven) legislative recommendations regarding amendments to the Criminal Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Electoral Code, the Transmission Code, Family Code, Law no. 9355/2005 "On social assistance and services", Draft Code of Administrative Procedure.