TIRANA, April 22 – Albania’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Uran Ferizi, has accused parts of the British media and right-wing politicians of “demonising” Albanians. He made the remarks in an open letter published by The Guardian, highlighting what he described as growing public stigma.
Ferizi said Albanian communities in the UK face scapegoating in migration debates and wider public discourse. He argued that negative portrayals affect daily life, including schools and workplaces, where individuals report discrimination linked to nationality.
The ambassador criticised comments made by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in the British parliament during migration discussions. He said references to Albanians in this context risked targeting a nationality rather than addressing specific issues.
A 2024 analysis by The Daily Telegraph claimed one in 50 Albanians in UK prisons. Ferizi said the figure relied on flawed methodology and selective statistical interpretation. He added that corrected comparisons show similar incarceration rates between Albanians and UK-born citizens when properly adjusted.
Media reporting has shaped public perception of Albanians in the UK, Ferizi said. He argued that selective use of crime data reinforces stereotypes rather than reflecting broader reality.
Ferizi said similar patterns of public hostility have historically affected Irish, Jewish and Polish migrant communities. He said such narratives often reflect political tension rather than factual conditions.
The Albanian embassy has documented cases of discrimination against Albanian workers in the UK, according to Ferizi. Reports include workplace prejudice and social stigma linked to nationality.
The UK Home Office said it continues cooperation with Albania on migration enforcement and criminality. It added that individuals without legal status in the UK will face removal under existing immigration rules.
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