This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Albania. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Albania's hate crime report page.

Hate crime recording and data collection

The Crime Investigation Department of the State Police is responsible for collecting data on hate crime in Albania. There is, however, no unique database shared by relevant state authorities to collect data on hate crimes.

Hate crime victim support

There is no centralized, state-run system of support for hate crime victims in Albania.

Specialist support services are mostly provided by civil society organizations (CSOs), which are often the first contact points for hate crime victims. CSOs typically offer information, legal aid, psychological support, and material assistance. These services are mostly accessible in the capital and other large cities. The state does not fund these providers, but some municipalities contribute to selected services, for example the running of a shelter for victims of in Tirana.

Some police officers serving at the Regional Directorates in Albania have been trained to treat victims of hate crimes in a sensitive manner. There is no formal system in place for referring victims from the police to CSOs, or between prosecution services and CSOs. However, the police have a formal co-operation with some specialist service providers. CSOs, law enforcement and regional municipality co-ordinators exchange information about hate crime victims.

Prosecutors are generally responsible for guaranteeing the effective exercise of rights by victims of hate crime, and for providing mandatory assistance in the preliminary phase of investigation. Prosecution services should also ensure that the police officers in charge provide assistance to victims, address any deficiencies in support and ensure that victims understand their rights and are informed of developments in their cases on a regular basis.

In case the victim belongs to a vulnerable category of victims, the prosecutor is responsible for meeting their security, medical and material needs (including basic subsistence and housing needs) by notifying the adequate social services.