Round Table Discussion

“Anti-corruption policies and implementation of international

human rights standards"

In the context of iniviatives undertaken by the civil society to incraese citizen participation in decision making, six non-profit organizations, with supoprt and collaboration from the "Soros" Foundation, organized on March 20, 2006, the round table discussion on "Anti-corruption policies and implementation of international human rights standards.”[1] The goal of this round table discussion was to draw the attention of state authorities, particularly the parliament and the government, to the respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms in every initiative undertaken by them, in spite of good objectives and intentions.

The focus of the discussion was on some recent government legal intiatives undertaken in the context of anti-corruption policies, such as: 

1. Draft law "On the public's cooperation in the fight against corruption”; 

2. Council of Ministers' decisions to avoid nepotism in the public, taxation, and customs administration;

3. Draft law "On some changes to the law no. 8457, dated 11.2.1999 “On information classified as a state secret";

4. The moratorium on vessels.

The non-profit organizations that initiated this round table discussion, following careful review of these legal initiatives, found unjustified violations of human rights and highlighted the fact that the initiatives ran contrary to the spirit and provisions of the Constitution. Therefore, the organizations shared their concerns with other civil society experts invited to the meeting. Participants at the round table discussion were of the opinion that anti-corruption policies were indispensable initiatives that have the support of the civil society and citizens in general. These policies are important for the country's development, for the consolidation of democracy, and the fulfillment of Albania's aspirations for integration into the European Union. However, it should be considered that government policies cannot harm fundamental human rights and freedoms. Respect for human rights, in keeping with the Constitution, represents a precondition for the success of these initiatives.

The non-profit organizations initiating this round table discussion expressed their engagement to collaborate with state authorities toward respect for and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms as well as the strengthening of the rule of law. On the other hand, they guaranteed their will to react constructively when finding that harm is being done to citizens' constitutional rights.