PINK Embassy proposes changes to the Penal Code

15 February 2013 – PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania has handed recently to the office of the People’s Advocate a proposal for some changes to the Penal Code of the Republic of Albania. This proposal aims to bring about some specific changes in relation to crimes committed against individuals due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The document prepared by PINK Embassy puts emphasis on some of the key problems that affect the LGBT community today in Albania, such as hate crimes, incitement to hatred and hate speech on social media.

Having identified them as very relevant and important, PINK Embassy has proposed that in the motives of committing a crime (Article 50), along with gender, race, color and ethnicity to be added sexual orientation and gender identity. Along this change it has also been proposed to make additions in relation to incitement to hatred and calls for national hatred (Articles 265 and 266) in order to make punishable also those made due to a persons’ or a group’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Furthermore, a very important change which will address insults and hate speech on social media are those proposed for Article 119/b where penalties are predicted for intentional public insults, through computer systems, done to e person because of his/her ethnicity, nationality, race or religion, in order to add there sexual orientation and gender identity.

PINK Embassy / LGBT Pro Albania consider the changes proposed above of a special value and importance for the protection and advancement of LGBT rights in our country. Hate speech in social media, incitement to national hatred against this community and crimes motivated by the sexual orientation or gender identity of a person are a reality in Albania, and this requires the Albanian state and law to undertake proper measures for the protection of all those citizens who belong to this community.