On 22 May 2018, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ditmir Bushati welcomed today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović. The meeting was held in the framework of the visit of Commissioner Mijatović in Albania, which is her first visit to our country after taking up the post in April 2018. The focus of this visit was children’s rights, the rights of people with disabilities and access to justice.

Minister Bushati congratulated Commissioner Mijatović for being elected the CoE Commissioner for Human Rights as the first woman in this post and the first Commissioner from the region. Minister Bushati emphasized Albania’s commitment to respect human rights, within the framework of international organizations, especially the Council of Europe, but also as part of Albania’s engagement to open negotiations with EU. The protection of the rights of children and women and the fight against domestic violence are commitments of the Albanian Government and the entire society itself, stated Minister Bushati.

Commissioner  MIJATOVIĆ, welcomed the steps Albania has undertaken for the protection of human rights, especially the rights of children and women but also of other people in need, fostering cooperation between the Government and representatives of these groups, as well as civil society in general. This is an important dimension of the activity of Council of Europe where the work of the Commissioner for the Protection of Human Rights will be focused, said Ms. Mijatović. I believe that the cooperation between Albania and the Office of the Commissioner in this regard will be fruitful and continuous, she said.

Commissioner Mijatović will have meetings with other members of the Government Cabinet in the coming days, with representatives of civil society, associations and institutions dealing with these vulnerable groups.