Call to Action!
From the Network of the Civil Society Organizations Against Gender Based
Violence
TWO WIVES MURDERED WITHIN A DAY! STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
We, the Civil Society Organizations, are deeply concerned, shocked and discontent for the
apparent increase of extreme cases of domestic violence during the past six months. To date,
in the year 2011, 17 women have lost their lives inside their family homes. On behalf of the lost
lives of the mothers and wives, of the children, fathers and grandchildren of these women, we
call to action the Albanian society to raise its voice and the power of its opinion against the
damage that this barbarian violence causes to our entire society.
As organizations of the civil society, we have full conviction that the daily and systematic
violence that is exercised within the family, not only in the physical form but also in the
psychological and economic forms, is the cause for the occurrance of such events. Therefore, it
is the duty of comptetent Albanian institutions to give the appropriate attention to the
prevention, stopping, and punishment of domestic violence to its full extent.
Besides these measures, and the continuing process for the economic empowerment of the
family and Albanian women, special attention is needed for the strengthening and increase of
effectiveness and implementation of the existing legal means. In this situation, we greatly
emphasize that more attention should be given to the implementation of the Family Code and
to the law “For legal actions against violence in family relations”, from the courts, State Police,
from the Prosecution, social units of the local governement, and bailiff offices, in order to
increase the law’s efficiency in the daily battle of domestic violence.
At the same time, we believe that the absence of criminal punishment for domestic violence
may bring such extreme cases. Therefore, we ask that the Council of Ministers and the
Parliament should hasten, establishing a special criminal action in the Penal Code, that will
condemn the systematic violence that violates the diginity and the character of family
members, especially women and children. We, as civil society organizations, emphasize that
these measures should be accompanied also with changes in the Code of Penal Procedures, in
order that the criminal prosecution of domestic violators becomes a case that is pursued by the
State, through the Prosecution office. The latter, should not leave the victims alone during a
long trial process.
We, the civil society organizations, express our willingness to increase collaboration with the
state organizations and to pressure them to stop domestic violence. Our Call To Action is for
the protection of family values. The understanding and peace of the entire Albanian society
depends on the understanding and peace from these family values.
1.
CENTRE FOR LEGAL AND CIVIC INITIATIVES
2.
COUNSELING LINE FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS
3.
“REFLEKSIONE” ASSOCIATION
4.
GENDER ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMEN CENTRE
5.
SHELTER FOR VIOLATED WOMEN AND GIRLS
6.
“USEFUL TO ALBANIAN WOMEN” ASSOCIATION
7.
INDEPENDENT FORUM FOR ALBANIAN WOMEN
8.
PARTNERS, ALBANIA
9.
VATRA CENTRE, VLORË
10. ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS, DURRËS
11. AGRITRA VISION, PESHKOPI
12. WOMEN TO WOMEN, SHKODËR
13. WOMEN’S CENTER “KRISTAL” – BERAT
14. COUNSELLING CENTER FOR WOMEN AND SOCIAL SERVICES – KUKES
15. MULTIFUNCTIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER – GJIROKASTER
16. WOMEN’S FORUM – ELBASAN
17. “ME THE WOMAN” – POGRADEC
18. ANOTHER VISION – ELBASAN
19. COMMUNITY CENTER “TODAY FOR THE FUTURE”– DURRËS
20. WOMEN’S CLUB “RESPECT” – PUKË
21. COMMUNITY CENTER “TODAY FOR THE FUTURE” – ELBASAN
22. COMMUNITY CENTER “THE APPLE’S FLOWER” – BURREL