Ida Ismail
During 2025, the institution of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination (CPD) has handled a significant number of cases related to allegations of discrimination, highlighting deep-seated social and institutional problems in Albania. The data shows not only an increase in civic awareness, but also persistent shortcomings in guaranteeing equality.
The Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination addressed 424 cases during 2025, where the vast majority are direct complaints from citizens, a clear signal that the phenomenon is no longer silent, but increasingly denounced.
Individuals remain the main voice in this battle, but the role of civil society organizations is increasingly emerging, which not only help in filing complaints, but often become a source of information for launching investigations. The area where this phenomenon strikes hardest is that of public Services. Almost half of the cases are related to the lack of basic Services, from housing and transportation, to healthcare and economic support. Most of these complaints are directed against public institutions, raising serious questions about the functioning of the state and its responsibility towards the most vulnerable citizens. The sharp increase in complaints against central institutions indicates a deep gap between policies and their implementation in practice.
According to data from the CPD, in 2025, 74.4% of complaints were against the public sector and 25.6% were against the private sector. The problems are related to the lack of housing, transportation, medications, and social support.
The labor market and hate speech remain problematic
The labor market also remains a problematic area. Cases of discrimination are mainly related to dismissals and obstacles to employment, often related to political beliefs, health status or social affiliation. The employment field has registered 167 cases, with a significant increase in complaints against the private sector (an increase of about 33%).
In parallel, hate speech continues to be present, and in many cases it comes from public actors themselves, reflecting a low standard of communication and lack of accountability. During 2025, 26 cases related to hate speech were handled. The majority of them (21 cases) were directed against public entities, raising serious concerns about public communication standards and institutional accountability.
Complaints have spread throughout the country, with a concentration in cities such as Tirana, Shkodra, Korça, Durrës and Fier. However, for the first time, complaints have also been registered from smaller municipalities such as Has and Pustec, as well as from Albanians living abroad.
This indicates an increase in awareness and confidence to report discrimination, even in areas where this practice was previously lacking.
In the end, the figures for 2025 show a clear truth: While citizens complain more, institutions still do not react to them. Discrimination in Albania is not an isolated phenomenon, but a systemic problem that affects basic Services, the labor market and social life. The fight against it requires not only functional legal mechanisms but also institutional responsibility./acqj.al
