Albania The Penal Code, harsh punishments for the children's violators

January 1, 2004

Comment: This article is selected in the press review as its subject represents one of the most important aspects of the Justice System Reform, the Penal Code amendments. It is crucial for a Penal Law to be a step forward in time than the criminal events thus foreseeing as much as possible what the reality might offer. However, even when the penal law fails to predict the future, the amendments adapting this law to the new criminal acts is definitely a very positive and operational legislative measure.

The actual amendments in the Albanian Penal Code related to the abuses with minors are developed in two main lines. The first category of amendments is related to the physical abuses that a minor can experience from his relatives and parents.

The second category of amendments is related to the abuses of children as beggars or for other forced services, which are activities that put minors in a high risk of becoming victims of trafficking.

These amendments of the Penal Code will probably help the coordinated fight against human trafficking, especially the trafficking of minors.

(This Press review is under the framework of EIDHR funded project, implemented jointly with CiLPS Albania)