On Thursday, the PINK Embassy Albania inaugurated the 14th Festival of Diversity for LGBTI Rights in Albania, marking the start of a series of events in observance of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and Lesbophobia (IDAHOT) on May 17. The festival will culminate with the Pride March on May 20.
The festival commenced at approximately ten o’clock with a surprise Flashmob in front of the University of Tirana. The theme for this event was “Let’s Raise the LGBTI Flag Together.” During the flashmob, a large rainbow flag, made by an Albania muslim family, was unrolled outside the university building.
An hour later, the National Forum titled “Together against Language and Hate Crimes against the LGBTIQ Community and Other Vulnerable Communities in Albania” was held.
The forum, supported by the Council of Europe office in Tirana and the European Union, was a collaborative effort with the State Police and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The rise of hate speech and hate crimes, particularly on online platforms and social networks, has become a pressing concern not only for the LGBTI community but also for other marginalized groups. The pervasive influence of such online behavior contributes to an atmosphere of punishment, prejudice, and inequality among people.
During the forum’s opening, Mrs. Denada Dibra, deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection, emphasized that her department is at the forefront of the Albanian Government’s efforts to support LGBTI individuals. Moreover, they have prioritized the establishment of LGBTI-friendly services in the main municipalities of Albania within the next three to five years.
Last year, as part of the IDAHOT activities, the PINK Embassy and iSIGURT.al introduced a national platform for reporting online hate crimes and hate speech, providing citizens with a tool to seek assistance and prevent such offenses.
At the forum, Borjana Dine from iSIGURT presented the data collected in 2022, highlighting that hate speech predominantly affects younger individuals who are less informed and protected against it. Additionally, representatives from ALO116 Albania and Rromano Kham presented specific cases of hate speech targeting LGBTI teenagers and the portrayal of the Roma community by the media in Albania.
The second panel of the forum focused on effective initiatives to combat hate speech, with Alma Katragjini sharing the experience of the National Police. The police, in collaboration with LGBTI organizations, conducted information sessions and training courses for leaders and senior officials in twelve districts of Albania, enhancing their knowledge and awareness of hate crimes. They also shared the Police Manual for the Investigation of Hate Crimes against LGBTI individuals.
Representatives from independent human rights institutions, including Robert Gajda (Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination) and Olta Aliaj (Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the Ombudsperson), emphasized the importance of increased awareness and education to mitigate online and offline hate speech. Considering the prevalence of hate speech online, the involvement of the Internet industry is crucial in crime prevention. Ledina Ferhati, representative of the ONE telecoms company, shared their experiences in promoting closer cooperation between the industry, civil society, and public institutions.
A special guest at the forum was Luana Myrto from Ylberofilia, a prominent transgender individual in Albania and a fearless advocate for transgender rights. Myrto shared her personal encounters with hate speech and hate crimes, expressing criticism towards institutions and the police for their perceived inadequate protection of transgender individuals, who are disproportionately targeted by hate crimes.
The forum was attended by over 30 participants from public institutions, civil society organizations, and embassy representatives in Albania. The support of these embassies is often vital for advancing LGBTI rights within the community.
The Festival of Diversity, an annual event organized by the PINK Embassy and its partners, is the only one of its kind in Albania dedicated to the LGBTI community. It combines awareness-raising activities with artistic and advocacy endeavors, including the Pride March.
Since its inception, the festival has aimed to increase public and governmental awareness of LGBTI rights in Albania while challenging and eradicating negative social attitudes related to sexual orientation and gender identity.
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