AIDSSH Publishes the 2024 Annual Report: Digitization and Declassification of Documents Quadruples Compared to 2023.
Tirana, April 30, 2025 – The Authority for Information on the Former State Security Documents (AIDSSH) has published its Annual Report for the year 2024 (submitted to the Parliament on April 4, 2025), providing an in-depth overview of the institution’s activities in service of transparency, civic education, and confronting the communist past.
The establishment of the communist regime in Albania (1944–1991) left deep scars on individuals and society, resulting in a painful legacy of persecution, enforced disappearances, political punishment, and propaganda aimed at erasing the truth. The archive inherited from the activity of the former State Security is the archive of a repressive apparatus, which served as a tool of suppression, intimidation, and persecution under the communist dictatorship.
ChatGPT said:
In the report, you will read how, in line with European and Albanian resolutions condemning the crimes of communism and in defense of democratic values, fundamental rights, and human freedoms, the Authority continues its work to provide information with transparency and a clear educational strategy. This includes initiatives aimed at shedding light on hidden truths and restoring the dignity of the victims.
• The digitization and declassification of documents reached record figures.
17,303 files with 1,096,699 pages were processed in 2024 alone.
In total, there are 23,663 archival units accessible to researchers and citizens.
• Information:
o 3,701 individual requests received since the establishment; 96% of them have been processed and closed.
o 263 candidates have been verified for their integrity, of whom 25 were found to be linked to the former State Security.
• Increase in Public Presence:
– 44 press releases and over 500 social media posts.
o The country’s main media outlets have closely followed the Authority’s activities, from interviews with its leaders to reports on findings in the field.
Clarification of disappearances during the dictatorship:
• Six new mass graves of missing persons were identified in 2024, bringing the total to 11 mass graves for the period 2022–2024.
• Six administrative investigations are underway for cases of disappearances, including the case of the "oil saboteurs."
• In total, 280 requests from family members have been processed, and new evidence has been gathered.
• Cooperation with ICMP has been strengthened, but the lack of commitment from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice has slowed down excavations and the approval of an important government decision.
• Civic Education and Challenges in Historical Memory:
• Books for children and youth have been published, such as “The Sun Rises in Spaç” and “Broken Borders” – now approved for school use in 2025.
• The Book Club “Learning from the Past” has involved 346 participants in various cities.
• The exhibitions and symposiums of 2024 addressed topics such as economic persecution, oil engineers, and imprisonments in Porto-Palermo.
• Academic and media requests processed:
65 requests and 80,474 pages were processed, of which 27,248 pages were anonymized and also served the preparation of 4 thematic activities, including the symposium on economic saboteurs and the exhibition in Porto-Palermo.
• Development of the Media Library – an online platform for researchers and citizens:
• 30 selected and processed files for publication, aiming to make the platform operational during 2025.
Challenges and Issues:
• Only 26% of municipalities have implemented the requirement to request verification before awarding honorary titles or public namings, even though the Authority has communicated with all 61 municipalities in the country.
• A total of 263 verification requests have been processed. Despite official requests, the amendment of the Electoral Code to ensure mandatory verification of candidates for public office has not yet been implemented.
• Communication continues regarding 13 officials in key institutions who have held certificates from the “Bezhani” and “Mezini” commissions.
• The process of verifying individuals and identifying the missing still faces a lack of full cooperation from some institutions.
• Changes in laws regarding honorary titles and integrity verification for individuals holding public functions are requested from the Parliament, along with the inclusion of the roles of assistant prosecutor and judge in political criminal proceedings.
• Revision of Law No. 9831/2007 regarding the recognition of internment and financial compensation for affected individuals, through improving the legal framework for those born and minors in internment, increasing compensation for victims’ families, and establishing a fixed monthly payment for the forced labor of former persecuted persons.
For more information, read the full report here: 