These days, Geneva has become the center of the global debate on human dignity. The People’s Advocate of Albania, Mr. Endrit Shabani, together with Commissioner Vilma Shurdha, are participating in the GANHRI Annual Conference, in what is considered the largest global gathering of human rights defenders under the auspices of the United Nations.

A highlight of this visit was the meeting of the European Network (ENNHRI), where a decision of strategic importance for the integrity of justice in Europe was taken. Through a joint statement, national institutions called on the Council of Europe states to respect the independence of the Strasbourg Court.

This stance comes as a response to political attempts to weaken the Convention system in the name of migration management. For Mr. Shabani and his European colleagues, the message was clear: Human rights are universal and no political agenda can dictate how the Court should interpret the law.

"Our participation and vote in favour of this declaration reconfirms the unwavering commitment of the Albanian Ombudsman to uphold European standards. At a time when migration challenges are growing, it is vital that political responses do not sacrifice the integrity of the Convention system, which has served as a shield for individual freedoms for over 75 years," said Shabani.

In addition to the migration crisis, the Albanian delegation is contributing to discussions on topics that are reshaping modern society:

Artificial Intelligence - The need to protect privacy in the digital space.

Environment - Treating a healthy environment as a fundamental human right.

Protection of the vulnerable - Special focus on children's rights and the fight against xenophobia.

During his stay in Geneva, the Ombudsman held a series of meetings with UN officials, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and representatives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This visit reaffirms the Ombudsman’s commitment to being a strong and independent voice, bringing international best practices to the protection of Albanian citizens.