Tirana, 8 August 2025 – At the premises of the Authority for Information on the Documents of the former State Security, a meeting was held between Ms. Julia Sutherland, Deputy Head of the British Mission in Albania (Chargé d’Affaires), and Ms. Gentiana Sula, Chairwoman of AIDSSH, along with the team she leads.
The meeting took place within the framework of cooperation with the British Embassy in Tirana and focused on presenting the work of the Authority, as well as exploring opportunities for joint initiatives with the United Kingdom.
During the visit, Ms. Sutherland was introduced firsthand to the Authority’s archive, the typologies of the files, the collections, and the high interest shown by researchers in these historical resources. Subsequently, the memory projects that have contributed to uncovering hidden truths were presented, such as the maps and records of sites of suffering (the Tepelena Camp, the Spaç Prison), as well as the events that shook and harmed the opposition of the time, plunging society into complete political and economic isolation. The meeting also addressed issues marking the peak of the dictatorship, such as the targeting of intellectuals and those considered enemies of the regime through death sentences and other forms of repression, including imprisonment and long-term surveillance.
We discussed the possible organization of obtaining expertise on the British–Irish models of reconciliation and dealing with the past.
The potential opportunity to organize a study visit to the United Kingdom for representatives of AIDSSH, researchers, and actors in the field of historical memory.
Ms. Sula emphasized the importance of strengthening memory and transparency regarding the historical truths of the communist regime, as well as the role of international partnerships in the processes of social and institutional reconciliation.
#GentianaSulaOfficialPage, @Gentiana Mara Sula , Altin Hoxha , Skender Vrioni Gjergj Marku, Mimoza Zeneli Sofi Noti , Anton Dukagjini @Ilda Memia @Aurel Bekteshi Dorian Zanaliu @Migena Demirxhiu
#AuthorityOfFilesBritish Embassy Tirana
