The Government of Albania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period; therefore Albania remained on Tier 2. These efforts included investigating purchasers of commercial sex, identifying more potential victims in cooperation with NGOs, and providing services to more victims. The government updated the NRM, expanding its membership to government institutions to enhance victim identification and assistance. The government increased funding for the government-run shelter in 2023, significantly increased funding for NGO-run shelters for 2024, and funded an NGO-run shelter to provide legal assistance. The government re-established the anti-trafficking hotline and incorporated survivor feedback in the NRM decision-making procedures. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government investigated significantly fewer trafficking crimes, prosecuted fewer suspects, and did not convict any traffickers for the second consecutive year. Police and district prosecutors did not have the specialized experience and capacity to investigate and prosecute trafficking cases and used lesser crimes, such as “exploitation of prostitution,” rather than trafficking. The government did not consistently screen vulnerable populations, including migrants, asylum-seekers, Romani and Balkan-Egyptian communities, and children, for trafficking indicators. NGO-managed mobile victim identification units (MIU) remained underfunded and understaffed, despite identifying most of the victims every year. Police participation in the MIUs remained inconsistent, despite signing an MOU that formalized their participation, and officials rarely initiated investigations when civil society identified a potential victim. The government lacked resources for reintegration efforts for victims, anti-trafficking coordinating bodies continued to not meet, and prosecutors often did not respond to requests related to victim witness assistance.
As reported over the past five years, human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Albania, and traffickers exploit victims from Albania abroad. Traffickers exploit Albanian women and children in sex trafficking and forced labor in the country, especially during tourist season. Traffickers use false promises, such as marriage or employment offers, to exploit victims in sex trafficking. Traffickers commonly force children to beg or perform other types of compelled labor, such as selling small items, and also force children into criminality, including burglary and narcotics distribution. Traffickers exploit Albanian children, mainly from the Romani and Balkan-Egyptian communities, for seasonal work and forced begging. NGOs reported traffickers force children into selling narcotics mainly at schools. Traffickers exploit Albanian victims in sex trafficking across Europe, particularly in Belgium, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and France. Albanian migrants who seek employment in Western Europe are vulnerable to forced labor, including forced criminality, particularly in the UK. Traffickers exploit foreign victims from Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and Greece in sex trafficking and forced labor in Albania. Traffickers use social media to recruit potential victims and advertise commercial sex through mobile phone applications and online platforms. Migrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees traveling, being smuggled, or voluntarily resettled in Albania, particularly women and unaccompanied children, are vulnerable to trafficking. Experts report children with mental and physical disabilities were increasingly vulnerable to trafficking.
from 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – U.S. Department of State
2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of State
