Albania drafts resolution on prevention of blood feud

The Albanian Parliamentary Law Committee approved on Wednesday the draft resolution on prevention of blood feud in Albania, which was later submitted to parliament.

Chairwoman of sub committee for Human Rights, lawmaker Vasilika Hysi, while making an overview of the preparatory work for this document, said "drawing on the report of the People's Ombudsman and of all state institutions we decided to propose a draft resolution."

The draft resolution notes that blood feud is a localized phenomenon in some areas of Albania and state organizations have failed in making the proper definitions of this situation owing to lack of precise statistics on this phenomenon.

In draft resolution Parliament of Albania appeals to institution of prosecution office to cooperate with State Police and conduct investigations against all those involved in offences of blood feud or vengeance.

"Spilled blood must be met with spilled blood": Such is the edict of the blood feud or Kanun, a set of traditional Albanian laws that stems from the 15th century. It is a parallel system of justice focusing on honor, guilt and vengeance, and remains in effect in rural regions.

There are some 3,000 Albanian families that are involved in blood feuds. Since 1990s, around 10,000 people have lost their lives in this manner, according to an estimate by the Committee of Nationwide Reconciliation. Endit