This electronic publication is comprised of cases of environmental crime reported by the media and environmental associations and developments around this issue in our country. It was created by environmental organization and members of the environmental crime advisory group in Albania as an instrument to collect and communicate specific cases of environmental crime with the help of law enforcement authorities.

Traces of environmental crime are visible in the country. Unfortunately, there is also no accurate and comprehensive data. The country still lacks a unified system of reporting, preventing and prosecuting such crimes.

The imposition of a moratorium for 7 years has been a necessity in establishing order for illegal hunters, where the main objective is accompanied by a series of adequate measures to stop this environmental crime by creating the necessary calm. Consequently, the question arises whether there are still shortcomings in the functioning of this law? Are there any reported cases? During these years, has hunting been stopped to recover fauna populations, and how well has this worked? Has fauna inventory been performed? These and many other cases of environmental crime in Albania can be found published in this article.

We also know that the country remains affected by environmental crime, which is sometimes very organized and sophisticated, and to combat this act requires resources, institutional cooperation, legislative change and cooperation with civil society and environmental activists.

By uniting their expertise, civil society, academics and the media become an important factor in raising awareness at all levels and helping to increase the efficiency of the work of institutions to address these crimes.

In this context, REC Albania and the OSCE Presence in Albania have taken the initiative to publish a publication entitled “Environmental Crime Digest” with the contribution of all members of the Environmental Crime Advisory Group, as a useful contribution to strengthen a cooperation much needed among all civil society actors.

We hope that the issues included in this publication and those that will follow throughout the year provide recommendations, good practices, case studies and important information, to help relevant agencies make informed and evidence-based decision-making.

To download the newsletter, please click here: Environmental Crime Digest, April 2021