SDGs implementation in the context of Albania. An LGBTI+ perspective

LGBTI Equal Rights Association for Western Balkans and Turkey

Publishing Year:

2020

Language:

ENGLISH

Country:

Albania

Publisher:

Alliance against Discrimination LGBT

Original Title:

SDGs implementation in the context of Albania. An LGBTI+ perspective

Resource Type:

Academic

Analysis

Article

International Mechanism

Recommendation

Research Article

This spotlight report, which is carried out within the framework of the High-Level Political Forum 2020, aims to shed light on the level of implementation of some Sustainable Development Goals, based on a national context and the current situation of the LGBTI+ community, as part of the commitment of the Albanian state to the Agenda 2030.

First, we acknowledge the effort of the Government of Albania in its involvement in the Sustainable Development Framework, through the National Strategy for Develop- ment, and Integration and the Sustainable Development Cooperation Program. We appreciate the concrete measures taken in favor of the LGBTI+ cause, especially in the international context, and specifically for its membership in the LGBTI+ Core Group in New York, among 29-member states from around the world.

This engagement of the Government of Albania which is fairly unfamiliar in the national context, and almost unknown to LGBTI+ individuals and organizations in Albania is in fact crucial. As pointed out in the joint statement of the 29 states, in the course of the renewal of the m, andate of the UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation , and Gender Identity, where Albania can also be found among the parties that voted in favor of the renewal , and the statement’s signatories, an inclusive society enables everyone, including LGBTI individuals, to be protected from violence , and discrimination , and to have full access to the enjoyment of human rights , and fundamental freedoms1. We encourage the Government of Albania to bring more transparency in the future regarding its position and engagement at these levels, through public stances, which are of excep- tional importance for every LGBTI+ person living in Albania.

The object of this report is to measure the level of implementation of SDGs 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10, based on their own spectrum of action, which affects very important, and deli- cate issues, such as health, education, employment, the specific situation of LBTI women and girls as well as taking concrete measures of a legalistic nature in favor of the problems that LGBTI+ individuals face nowadays.

The Agenda 2030 has entered its last decade of action, and as can be seen from the theme chosen by the HLPF for this year, member states in this 10-year period are expected to take accelerated measures and pursue transformative pathways towards full compliance with the objectives to which they are committed. As the UN Independent Expert on Human Rights states it, the obligation of states to address violence and discrim- ination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity remains deeply inter- twined with the main principle of the Agenda 2030 to not disregard anyone2.

In drafting the present report, we applied qualitative and quantitative methods of scientific research, combining the review of the bulk of annual reports of partner organiza- tions for the period 2015-2020, databases available from the LGBT Alliance, various legal acts, and international literature regarding the sustainable development platform and LGBTI+ issues.

A considerable amount of data was planned to be collected through focus groups with community members, but given the social distancing situation due to COVID-19 that made gatherings impossible, we used an online survey as one of the main sources of data.

The survey published at the end of March had 101 community member respon- dents, a figure that surpassed our initial expectations, recognizing the reluctance of LGBTI+ people to provide personal and sensitive data, especially through means of technology.

Other quantitative data relevant to this report, were analyzed from the surveys con- ducted over the years by the LGBT Alliance as well as by previous focus groups and meet- ings with community members, making the information more complete with data collect- ed progressively over time.

Part of the findings is attributed to the significant number of meetings with repre- sentatives of human rights organizations in Albania, who do not hesitate to provide valu- able inputs from their experience, whenever the LGBTI+ cause is discussed.

We take this opportunity to thank all members of the LGBTI+ community, colleagues from partner organizations, and representatives of other institutions for their contribution to this reporting.

Disclaimer:

This report has been produced with the financial assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The content of this report is the sole responsibility of the authors and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of either the USAID, the United States Government, or other agencies mentioned in this report.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations, including UNDP, or the UN Member States.

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