A delegation of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (GREVIO) is carrying out a monitoring visit to Albania from 24 to 28 April 2017. The organisation of this visit follows GREVIO’s review of Albania’s state report on 5 April. It is one of the steps in the procedure to monitor the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.

The Istanbul Convention, also known as Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, is based on the understanding that states must fully address gender-based violence in all its forms – and take measures to prevent such violence, protect the victims and prosecute the perpetrators.

GREVIO members who will visit Albania, Simona Lanzoni and Helena Leitao, will be supported by two members of the Strasbourg-based Council of Europe Secretariat.

Meetings are organised with high-ranking officials and professionals from various fields, including social care, health, police and judicial services. On this occasion, the delegation will visit places where women and girl victims can be protected and supported. Meetings will also take place with representatives of the Albanian parliament, representatives of the media and NGOs active in areas of concern to GREVIO.

The information gathered by the delegation during the visit is confidential. GREVIO plans to publish its evaluation report on Albania before the end of 2017.