PINK Embassy submits to the Special Commission for Electoral Reform the recommendations addressing this flagrant violation of human rights
Tirana, 9 June 2020 – ERA member organisation in Albania, PINK Embassy, ​ through a public statement, expressed its concern on the open discrimination against LGBTI persons by the Electoral Code in Albania. In its Article 3, which stipulates that when a person may vote or be elected to public office, the Code clearly does not guarantee the non-discrimination of LGBTI persons if they decide on their candidacy for a public post, such as deputy, mayor etc.
More explicitly, the Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania, in Article 3, point 3, explicitly provides that: “Every Albanian citizen, who has reached the age of 18, even on election day, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, language, political conviction, physical ability or economic status has the right to vote and be elected in accordance with the rules provided for in this Code.”
In this context, the Electoral Code does not guarantee the right to vote and to be elected for LGBTI persons, a basic political right for the democratic system. The current Electoral Code does not provide guarantees, and leaves room for open discrimination in the exercise of the right to vote and to be elected, to the detriment of LGBTI persons due to their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Based on this essential legal shortcoming, PINK Embassy in cooperation with the Legal Office of CRCA / ECPAT Albania, requested the Special Parliamentary Commission for Electoral Reform and the Assembly of Albania, that in the framework of Electoral Reform to take immediate measures to address this flagrant human rights violations.
For more information, contact:
PINK Embassy Albania – Tel: +355675002025 – Email: pink@pinkembassy.al 
Photo credit: http://cec.org.al/njoftim-i-mbledhjes/