OSCE Presence brings together Albania’s institutions to boost fight against environmental crime

Environmental crime in Albania increased in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to police reports.

With the aim to assist Albania’s institutions better fight environmental crime, also in periods of crisis like COVID-19, the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment facilitated an online meeting of the Interinstitutional Group against Environmental Crime, the Agency for Support of Local Self-Governance and civil society activists, on 4 May 2020 in Tirana.

The participants discussed the institutions’ needs, especially during this time, and addressed several cases presented by civil society organizations and the media, such as the import of hazardous waste, oil and hydrocarbon spills, illegal hunting and logging.

The participants agreed that there is a need for a legal act to clarify the role of the various inspectorates dealing with environmental crimes, and especially the role of the local government. This became even more important following the amendments to the Criminal Code in October 2019, which made the smuggling of prohibited goods, improper waste management, and illegal waste transportation criminal offenses. 

To support local authorities, the Presence developed a handbook on the functions and capabilities of the local government in preventing environmental crimes. They will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in this field.

The OSCE Presence is a partner of Albanian institutions in their fight against environmental crime.

The Interinstitutional Group against Environmental Crime, which includes 11 institutions, was founded with the Presence’s support in 2015. The Presence also contributed to the Criminal Code amendments on environmental crime, raised awareness and understanding of environmental crime issues, and enhanced the capacities of Albania’s authorities to address them.