Social and Legal Studios
ISSN 2617-4162
e-ISSN 2617-4170
Publisher: Lviv State University of Internal Affairs
Abstract
This research examined the compatibility of Albanian social security legislation with both the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the European Convention on Human Rights, focusing specifically on the legal issues that arose following the landmark “Dauti v. Albania” case. Using legal-normative analysis and comparative legal assessment, in this pivotal case, the European Court of Human Rights determined that Albania violated Article 6 of the Convention by denying effective judicial review of Medical Commission decisions on disability benefits. The study analyses Law No. 7703 “On Social Security in the Republic of Albania” and its amendments through Law No. 10447, which were implemented in response to the European Convention on Human Rights decision. Despite the Committee of Foreign Ministers of the Council of Europe issuing a report stating these amendments had addressed the Courtʼs findings, the research reveals that significant compatibility issues persist. The Administrative College of the High Court of Albania later determined that despite the legislative changes, the lawʼs incompatibility with Article 6 of the Convention continues, referring the matter to the Constitutional Court for an incidental review. This case ultimately resulted in a unifying decision of substantial importance in Albanian judicial practice, with the High Court affirming that access to courts for disabled persons must be guaranteed regardless of any legislative limitations. The research identified ongoing gaps in three categories: structural (imperfect appointment mechanisms for Appeals Commission members), procedural (inequality of arms and limited accessibility), and substantive (inconsistent standards for reviewing medical determinations). The study concluded that while formal amendments have been made, Albania must implement further reforms to ensure the practical effectiveness of judicial protection in social security cases, particularly for vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities
Keywords: judicial review; administrative appeals; fair trial; medical commission; disability benefits
Suggested citation
[1] Advancing social protection and opportunities for reform in the Western Balkans. (2023). Retrieved from https://www. worldbank.org/en/region/eca/brief/advancing-social-protection-and-opportunities-for-reform-in-the-western-balkans.
[2] Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary. (1985, September). Retrieved from https://surl.lu/cqifvj.
[3] Bregu, M. (2023). The role of the EU as a normative power on the protection of human rights in Albania. Security Studies, 17(2), 38-46.
[4] Broerse, I. (2024). The Italy-Albania agreement: Externalising asylum procedures in violation of Human Rights. ACMRL Migration Law Series, 26. doi: 10.71881/51abe5cb-92a2-4de9-8395-9323bdc7f75c.
[5] C102 – Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention. (1952, June). Retrieved from https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_ en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO:12100:P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312247:NO.
[6] Cherevko, N. (2025). Mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of the European Social Charter and their significance for the Member States. 3cientific Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs, 30(1), 60-70. doi: 10.63341/naia- herald/1.2025.60.
[7] Commissioner for Human Rights. (n.d.). Albania. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/country-work/albania.
[8] Council of Europe Portal. (n.d.). Albania. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/european-social-charter/albania.
[9] Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania No. 113. (2021, October). Retrieved from https://www. gjykatakushtetuese.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/vend.mosk_.113_21.docx.
[10] Dostanova, Z., Yermukhanova, L., Blaževičienė, A., Baigozhina, Z., Taushanova, M., Abdikadirova, I., & Sultanova, G. (2024). Perception and experience of independent consultations in primary healthcare among registered nurses in Kazakhstan: A qualitative study. Healthcare (3witzerland), 12(15), article number 1461. doi: 10.3390/healthcare12151461.
[11] European Commission. (2024). Commission 3taff Working Document “Albania 2024 report accompanying the document communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions 2024 Communication on EU Enlargement Policy”. Retrieved from https://surl.li/zktpea.
[12] European Convention on Human Rights. (1950, November). Retrieved from https://surl.li/khxmqk.
[13] European Court of Human Rights. (2025). Press country profile: Albania. Retrieved from https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/ echr/cp_albania_eng.
[14] European Social Charter. (1996, May). Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/168007cf93.
[15] Gjika, J., & Kau, R. (2024). The infrastructure for providing electronic communication services and its impact on effective competition. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 15(1), 93-104. doi: 10.36941/mjss-2024-0007.
[16] Grand Chamber Decision as to the Admissibility of Applications Nos. 65731/01 and 65900/01 “Stec and Others against the United Kingdom”. (2005, July). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-70087%22]}.
[17] Guzina, S., & Tiri, E. (2023). Constitutional protection of human rights in the Republic of Albania. Interdisciplinary Journal of Research and Development, 10(3), 22-26. doi: 10.56345/ijrdv10n3s104.
[18] Hajdini, B., & Skara, G. (2022). The right to freedom of peaceful assembly during the Covid-19 pandemic in the light of ECHR standards. EU and Comparative Law Issues and Challenges Series, 6, 267-286. doi: 10.25234/eclic/22430.
[19] Hoxhaj, O., & Halilaj, B. (2025). Legal and policy frameworks for sustainable digital governance in Albania: A Human Rights approach to SDG 16 compliance. Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review, 5(5), article number e06131. doi: 10.47172/2965-730X. SDGsReview.v5.n05.pe06131.
[20] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 14518/89 “Schuler-Zgraggen v. Switzerland”. (1993, June). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-57840%22]}.
[21] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 19206/05 “Dauti v. Albania”. (2009, February). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-91103/.
[22] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 22107/93 “Alexander Findlay v. the United Kingdom”. (1995, February). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-2051.
[23] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 22237/93 “John Bryan v. the United Kingdom”. (1996, April). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-2823.
[24] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 29369/10 “Morice v. France”. (2015, April). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-154265.
[25] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 33804/96 “Mennitto v. Italy”. (2000, October). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-58848%22]}.
[26] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 34602/16 “Strazimiri v. Albania”. (2020, January). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-200452%22]}.
[27] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 4457/18 “Caruso v. Italy”. (2022, October). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-63394%22]}.
[28] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 55391/13, 57728/13 and 74041/13 “Ramos Nunes de Carvalho and Sá v. Portugal”. (2018, November). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-187507
[29] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Cases Nos. 6878/75 and 7238/75 “Le Compte, Van Leuven and De Meyere
v. Belgium”. (1981, June). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-57522.
[30] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Cases Nos. 7819/77 and 7878/77 “John Joseph Campbell and Patrick Fell against United Kingdom: Report of the Commission”. (1982, May). Retrieved from https://www.stradalex.com/en/sl_src_publ_ jur_int/document/echr_7819-77_001-73569.
[31] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 8692/79 “Piersack v. Belgium”. (1982, October). Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-57557%22]}.
[32] Judgment European Court of Human Rights in the Case No. 8848/80 “Benthem v. The Netherlands”. (1985, October) Retrieved from https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-57436.
[33] 
Judgment of the Administrative Court of Durrës in Case No. 653 “Kraja v. Appeals Commission”. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.gjykata.gov.al/gjykata-administrative-e-shkalles-se-pare-durres/vendime/2020/653.
[34] Kapo, M., & Ibrahımı, S. (2025). The right to life through legal education: The Albanian legal context against euthanasia. In
C.F. de Sousa Reis, M. Fodor-Garai & O. Titrek (Eds.), Proceeding of the 10th International conference on lifelong education and leadership for all (pp. 709-725). Dordrecht: Atlantis Press. doi: 10.2991/978-94-6463-686-4_48.
[35] Kau, R., & Gjika, J. (2022). Lis pendens in the Albanian Civil Procedural Code in the light of the European Legislation. Jus & Justicia, 16(2), 69-80. doi: 10.58944/oaeq8412.
[36] Khazhanets, V. (2024). Current challenges of ensuring patientsʼ rights in Europe and the USA. Law. Human. Environment, 15(3), 121-136. doi: 10.31548/law/3.2024.121.
[37] Kimatova, K., et al. (2025). Needs of older adults in Kazakhstan: Analysis and psychometric properties of the localized version of the EASYCare standard 2010 instrument. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, article number 1487827. doi: 10.3389/ fpubh.2025.1487827.
[38] Konini, I., Elezi, A., & Rokaj, I. (2024). A fair trial perspective on Albanian Law No. 19/2016 “On Additional Measures for Public Security”: Aligning with European Human Rights Standards. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 13(4), 82-98. doi: 10.36941/ajis-2024-0101.
[39] Kortoci, T.N., & Macukulli, S. (2021). The functionality of the social security scheme in Albania: Challenges and perspectives. In 3ocial security in the Balkans – volume 1: An overview of social policy in Croatia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Romania and Bulgaria (pp. 75-110). Leiden: Brill. doi: 10.1163/9789004466579_005.
[40] Law of Albania No. 10447 “On Some Additional Provisions on the Law 7703/1993 “On Social Security”. (2011, July). Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/native/09000016804a6af6.
[41] Law of Albania No. 64/2023 “On Some Additions and Amendments to Law No. 7703, Dated 11.5.1993, “On Social Security in the Republic of Albania”. (2023, July). Retrieved from https://gosnishti.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Ligj-nr.-64- 2023-date-21.07.2023-Per-disa-shtesa-dhe-ndryshime-ne-ligjin-nr.-7703-date-11.05.1993-Per-sigurimet-shoqerore-ne-RSh-te- ndryshuar1.pdf.
[42] Law of Albania No. 7703 “On Social Security in the Republic of Albania”. (1993, May). Retrieved from https://www.issh.gov. al/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Kapitulli-1.pdf.
[43] Law of Albania No.9136 “On the Collection of Mandatory Social and Health Insurance Contributions in the Republic of Albania”. (2003, September). Retrieved from https://www.issh.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Ligj_9136_11092003_ perditesuar-2017.pdf.
[44] Leci, E. (2023). The right to privacy in Albania. Its compliance with EU GDPR and current challenges. Tirana: Epoka University.
[45] Leskoviku, M., & Kaçupi, K. (2023). Albaniaʼs journey towards EU integration and accession in the field of rule of law and Human Rights. In EU enlargement and the Western Balkans: Current challenges and prospects: Conference proceedings (pp. 87-98). Tirana: Institute of European Studies.
[46] Melo, I.K., & Rusi, N. (2024). Social impact of governmental policies on property rights in Albania in the spirit of ECtHR jurisprudence. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 14(4), 191-200. doi: 10.36941/jesr-2024-0096.
[47] Mustafa, A., & Gerovska-Mitev, M. (2022). Social protection expenditure and redistribution in the Western Balkans. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 38(2), 135-152. doi: 10.1017/ics.2022.1.
[48] National Action Plan for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma and Egyptians in Albania. (2022, April). Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/albania/publications/national-action-plan-equality-inclusion-and-participation-roma-and-egyptians- albania.
[49] National Social Protection Strategy (2024-2030) and the Action Plan for its Implementation. (2024, March). Retrieved from https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=116463.
[50] Pjetri, A. (2024). The legal regime of cohabiting in inheritance law in the Republic of Albania. Perspectives of Law and Public Administration, 13(3), 352-358. doi: 10.62768/PLPA/2024/13/3/01.
[51] Riza, G. (2021). GDPR and personal data protection in non- EU countries: Albanian case of data protection legislation.
Proceedings of RTA-C3IT 2021. Retrieved from https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2872/short06.pdf
[52] Skara, G. (2022). Europeanisation of Albanian competition law: Roles and perspectives of private Enforcement. In Europeanisation of private enforcement of competition law; The case of Albania (pp. 217-290). Cham: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978- 3-030-97034-5_6.
[53] Suárez, N. (2024) EDF Annual Report 2023. Retrieved from https://www.edf-feph.org/publications/edf-annual-report-2023/.
[54] Tiri, E., & Aliaj, E. (2024). Promotion of Human Rights in Albania in light of its perspective of integration into the European Union. Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov. 3eries VII: 3ocial 3ciences, 16(65), 73-80. doi: 10.31926/but.ssl.2023.16.65.3.9.
[55] U.S. Department of State. (2022). 2021 country reports on human rights practices: Albania. Retrieved from https://www.state. gov/reports/2021-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/albania.
[56] U.S. Department of State. (2024). 2023 country reports on human rights practices: Albania. Retrieved from https://www.state. gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/albania/.
[57] UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights issues findings on Albania, Cyprus, Honduras, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi and Poland. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/09/un-committee-economic- social-and-cultural-rights-issues-findings-albania.
[58] UN Women. (n.d.). Albania. Retrieved from https://data.unwomen.org/country/albania.
[59] United Nations Human Rights Council. (2025). Adoption of UPR outcomes Albania. Retrieved from https://gchragd.org/wp- content/uploads/2025/02/Albania-UPR-Outcomes.pdf.
[60] Vozniuk, A., & Hryha, M. (2024). Improper performance of professional duties by medical and pharmaceutical professionals: Current status and problems of counteraction. Law Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs, 14(2), 9-19. doi: 10.56215/ naia-chasopis/2.2024.09.
[61] Xhuvani, E., & Mecalla, N. (2023). Case study on integration process of Albania towards EU: Harmonisation of domestic legislation with that of EU. Access to Justice in Eastern Europe, 21(4), 253-264. doi: 10.33327/AJEE-18-6.4-n000404.
[62] Ymeri, S. (2023). Performance of Western Balkan economies regarding the European Pillar of 3ocial Rights; 2022 Review on Albania. Sarajevo: Regional Cooperation Council.