Shqip
English
Tirana, June 6, 2018 - Civil society joined this morning the National Child Rights Network: Act for Children!, to protest in front of the Albanian Parliament and ask for justice for crimes committed against children. Representatives of organizations who are operating in the country on children's rights demanded proper and just sentencing against all sexual predators.
Under the sound of whistles and with banners in hand, civil society activists asked to the Albanian lawmakers to intervene urgently for the accelerated adoption of changes to the Criminal Code.
On behalf of the network, Altin Hazizaj - Executive Director of CRCA Albania, formally submitted the public request to the Parliament, addressed to the Parliamentary Committees of Legislation, Labour and Social Affairs, Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence against Women, Human Rights etc. The letter was sent also to the President of Albania who chairs the High Council of Justice.
The National Network "ACT FOR CHILDREN!" today asked publicly:
- District Prosecutor's Office in Korça to urgently appeal the court's decision, seeking to increase the sentence for the rape a the 15-year-old girl.
- The Albanian Parliament, through an accelerated procedure, shall approve the required amendments to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.
- The National Agency for Child Protection shall provide immediate protection to the 15-year-old girl and cover all the costs of psycho-social treatment, shelter and care.
The case of the rape of the 14-year-old was first reported to the media. Few days back, on October 15, 2017, the legal office of the CRCA Albania and ALO 116, reported the case to the Child Protection Unit in Pogradec, seeking urgent protection and psycho-social services for the victim. Meanwhile, three days ago, Korça District Court awarded a sentence of 4.8 years in prison for the abuser, who sexually abused the victim, causing her pregnancy too.
