Inhuman and degrading treatment of persons with disabilities

TV Klan’s “Stop” show of May 31, 2016, aired gruesome footage of the internal premises of the Development Center in Shkodra that treats persons with disabilities.

The broadcasted footage of the inside of these premises feature some citizens tied in their hands or feet with locks and chains, fixated to a metal structure, on a wall or chair. The citizens who were tied appeared to be of young age.

The primary duty of the Shkodra Development Center, as well as some other residential centers in other cities, according to legislation in force, is to secure and evidently improve the status and quality of living of persons with disabilities. They are monitored by the State Social Service and the Municipality.

The Albanian Helsinki Committee considers this an extraordinary, serious and very shocking incident that contains elements of inhuman and degrading treatment.