S7- 1 Human Rights

S7- 2 Human Rights A visiting prominent international reporter makes a one-day visit to Tirana. She is hosted by the government, and is given a full day tour focusing on Albania’s needs, its efforts to meet them, and external assistance that might help. The tour includes a 15-minute stop at a small gypsy camp in the suburbs of Tirana.

S7- 3 Human Rights (continued) Two days after the visit, the reporter’s story appears in the international press with headlines “Human Rights Abusers in Albania” quoting two gypsy camp occupants, and an interview with a family of gypsy beggars outside of the Hotel Continental. The story speaks of legal discrimination, various oppressions, and basic economic inequalities.

S7- 4 Human Rights (continued) The local press picks up the story, which inflames the local community, and there are several clashes around the city between the citizens and gypsies. The ministries report that these were the first such incidents in over a year. Amnesty International requests permission to send a special delegation “to review the situation regarding gypsies” in the next few months.

S7- 5 Human Rights (continued) Efforts by the government to renew a dialogue with the gypsies have not been fruitful due to the fragmentation of the group, a lack of a defined leadership, and their relatively small numbers. Meanwhile, friendly Embassy officials and the representative of European organizations based in Tirana are quietly urging the government to get this issue under control.