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Press Statement
On the
way toward European integration, Albania has a
lot to do for respect for human rights
Albanian
Helsinki Committee releases Human Rights Report
on Albania 2007
Honorable Friends,
Please find attached the report
of the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) on the
status of human rights in Albania during 2007.
In this report, AHC addresses
some issues that were the target of observation,
verification, or monitoring during the past
year, such as: aspects related to the
functioning of the rule of law and efforts
toward integration in the European Union and
NATO, electoral reform, respect for citizens’
rights at police commissariats, detention
facilities, and prisons, the media, public
access to justice, minorities, and respect for
the rights Albanian citizens using Albania’s
border crossings or returned in the context of
Readmission Agreements, etc.
During 2007, the Albanian
Government made efforts to fulfill standards for
entry into Euro-Atlantic structures; the
Stabilization Association Agreement ratification
process by European Union member countries
continued; initiatives were taken for the
approval of some important laws that would
contribute to further enhancement of reforms.
During 2007, the special
electoral reform commission, during three of its
mandates, did not take any concrete step, and no
arguments for its non-funcitoning were
presented, in spite of the fact that this was a
continued demand by smaller parties. In fact,
even the justice reform commission did not
function; however, toward the end of 2007, there
was understanding between the DP and the SP to
begin discussions on the law “On the
organization of the judicial system,” at the
Parliament’s Commission of Laws.
The approval of the new law “On
State Police” was done after a debate and the
submission of remarks and suggestions by the
People’s Advocate, AHC, and other civil society
organizations.
Again during 2007, AHC continued
to receive complaints from citizens, detained or
arrested individuals, claiming violations of
their rights by police officers. There were also
complaints about obstacles encountered by
detained and arrested persons for meeting
quickly with their defense lawyers, outdragging
of investigation and judicial processes, etc. On
the basis of such complaints, AHC organized
on-site observations and, depending on the case,
reacted publicly or in other forms.
Based on on-site observations,
meetings with different groups of the society,
employees of different sectors (including local
government staff), as well as citizens, found
lack of knowledge on laws in force, or
superficial knowledge of them. We have come to
the conclusion that this is a problem that
should be looked at seriously, first of all by
state bodies.
During 2007, legal reform in the
area of detention facilities and prisons
concentrated on improving legislation. These
improvements had not been approved in the
Parliament by the end of the year. During 2007,
the actual transfer of the pre-trial detention
system under the responsibility of the Ministry
of Justice was concluded.
A disturbing problem in all
observed prisons and detention institutions
remained overcrowding, the considerable number
of persons deprived of their liberty suffering
from mental problems and are kept in different
prisons and detention facilities and part of
them in the Prison Hospital Center. For the most
part, detention institutions remain within
buildings of police commissariats and have a
much warn out infrastructure. Their conditions
are very poor.
Keeping juveniles in the same
premises as adults, failure to make them aware
of their rights, lack of special treatement of
women remained disturbing problems.
Non-execution of final civil
court decisions by the bailiff’s office remained
a disturbing problem. Unjustified outdragging
weakens citizens’ trust in justice bodies and
encouraging self-justice. It is our opinion that
accountability in this regard is relatively weak
and opportunities for corruption remain open.
With regard to minority rights,
during 2007, the Albanian Government devoted
attention to respecting recommendations by
international institutions such as the EU, CoE,
and the European Commission against Racism and
Intolerance (ECRI).
During 2007, positive
improvements were made to the Criminal Code,
including as an aggravating circumstance the
commission of a criminal offense inspired by
motives related to gender, race, religion,
nationality, language, political, religious, or
social convictions. Also, the changes foresee
the commission of the criminal offense of
torture for reasons of discrimination.
Again during 2007, there was no
accurate data on the number of minority members
in Albania. The Roma minority and the Egyptian
community face numerous problems, including
education and employment as the most
disturbing.
With regard to respect for
citizens rights at border crossing points, the
legal framework regulating the functioning of
border crossing points and respect for citizens
rights therein saw changes.
Although infrastructure had seen
changes, the need for further improvement is an
issue of importance in almost all border
crossing points. Failure to distinguish the
potential “trafficker-victim” influx, absence of
a psychologist at the time of interviews with
trafficked women and juveniles remained problems
at border crossing points.
AHC applauds progress made to
improve the professional capacities of border
police officers; nevertheless, recently assigned
staff needs training and professional growth.
During 2007, the Albanian media
too had a positive impact on information
conveyed to the general public. It is our
opinion that there is room for increasing the
media’s investigative role and journalistic
ethics. In some cases, pressure on certain media
organizations was highlighted.
For further information on the
situation of human rights in Albania, you may
read the full report at: www. ahc.org.al or
contact:
1 Ms. Vasilika Hysi
Executive Director, Albanian
Helsinki Committee
2. Mr.
NiaziJaho,
Legal Advisor, Albanian Helsinki
Committee
Tel: 00 355 42 23 36 71
E-mail: office@ahc.org.al
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