Roma Minority in Albania, Difficulties and the Role of People’s Advocate

The Roma minority in Albania has always encountered difficulties of various natures, be it economic, social or even violations of basic human rights and freedoms. In this article, we will briefly present the origin of Roma people, their appearance in Albania, as well as the main cultural characteristics that distinguish them from other minorities and the rest of society. The article continues with an analysis of the legal framework that guarantees the protection Roma minority rights, including different historical periods but also the present. An important part of this article is the role of the People’s Advocate in addressing the problems faced by the Roma minority. In this study, emphasis is placed on the need for stronger state institutions, a more successful implementation of laws, as well as a greater political will to achieve the full integration and protection of the Roma minority in Albania. Keywords: Roma Minority, Republic of Albania, People’s Advocate, Protection, Discrimination, Social Integration DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/146-05 Publication date: February 28th 2025