“U.S. Embassy finds it disgraceful that there is an Albanian member of parliament with convictions for human trafficking”

Statement by the U.S. Embassy 

Following media queries on the 2015 State Department report on Trafficking in Persons, the U.S. Embassy would like to note that the report recognizes that the Government of Albania made some good progress and continued to make significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.  We encourage the Albanian Government to continue those efforts to combat human trafficking in all its forms through strong law enforcement and effective victim protections, as well as with policies to prevent trafficking. The U.S. is committed to working with Albania to support its ongoing efforts against human trafficking.

At the same time, the Embassy finds it disgraceful that there is an Albanian member of parliament with convictions for human trafficking. Albanians have the right to have elected representatives with integrity and high ethical standards, not criminals.  The U.S. will continue to urge all political parties to keep individuals with criminal backgrounds out of Albanian politics and public life.