A/HRC/42/4 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-third session from 6 to 17 May 2019. The review of Albania was held at the 2nd meeting, on 6 May 2019. The delegation of Albania was headed by Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Artemis Dralo. At its 10th meeting, held on 10 May 2019, the Working Group adopted the report on Albania. 2. On 15 January 2019, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Albania: Czechia, Philippines and Senegal. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Albania: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/33/ALB/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/33/ALB/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/33/ALB/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Belgium, Germany, Greece, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Albania through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Albania expressed its appreciation for the work of the Human Rights Council and noted that preparation for the review had been a valuable exercise in taking stock of where Albania stood on the implementation of its commitments. Albania was fully committed to protecting and promoting all human rights and, as a member of the Council between 2015 and 2017, it had contributed actively to the Council’s work, including the universal periodic review. 6. Albania was taking concrete measures to implement justice reform. Law No. 76/2016 on addenda and amendments to the Constitution and a package of seven organic laws that contained provisions guaranteeing the independence, impartiality, professionalism and integrity of judges, as well as for improved accountability and monitoring mechanisms for the judiciary, had been adopted. In addition, the parliament had approved a package of 23 laws covering all aspects of judicial reform. The judiciary was undergoing a comprehensive and thorough transitional re-evaluation process (vetting) with a view to rebuilding public confidence in the judiciary. 7. Albania had improved its national legal framework on gender equality and the empowerment of women. A law on measures against violence in family relations had been adopted in 2018 and its framework for implementation had been completed. Laws on State legal assistance and on social housing programmes had been adopted in 2018, and in 2015 the Labour Code had been amended to shift the burden of proof in cases of discrimination in employment to the employer. Albania was implementing the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Action Plan 2016–2020, the National Employment and Skills Strategy 2014–2020, the National Strategy for Social Protection 2015–2020, which prioritized 2