Publications

Latest publication of the Albanian Helsinki Committee

"International Criminal Court, Albania's Case"

In the framework of the mission to raise awareness about and promote human rights and justice institutions, the Albanian Helsinki Committee undertook the initiative to prepare the publication, "The International Criminal Court, Albania's Case". The purpose of this study is to better inform the public and members of the judicial system on the role of the International Criminal Court, the enforcement of its Statute in domestic legislation, as well as to carry out a juridical debate and encourage relevant state structures to bring Albanian legislation closer to this statute.

Considering that serious crimes such as: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, etc., threaten and jeopardize the lives, health, fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, the Albanian Helsinki Committee undertook this initiative for the purpose of contributing to the improvement of Albanian legislation in the framework of protecting human rights and achieving international standards in legal integration.

The goal of this modest publication is to provide information on the Rome Statute, on Albanian legislation and the next necessary steps for improving the legal context with regard to the International Criminal Court and international criminal legislation.

This study will primarily be of service to members of the Albanian judicial system, particularly judges, prosecutors, and lawyers who must become acquainted with the International Criminal Court. It will furthermore be of assistance to students of the Faculty of Law and the Magistrates' School, law practitioners, members of the civil society and human rights activists. The publication is also a modest service to legal reform in order to help enact legal improvements necessary in keeping with the Rome Statute.

The publication consists of four separate parts, of which the first one is a detailed study on the Statute of the International Criminal Court and some constitutional aspects of its ratification by the Republic of Albania, prepared by Mr. Ditmir Bushati. The second part includes contributions by two experts, Mr. Ismet Elezi and Mr. Halim Islami  with regard to the Rome Statute and to criminal legislation and criminal procedure legislation. These contributions were rendered at the round table discussion organized by the AHC on the issue. The third part of the publication includes excerpts from international acts such as the Vienna Convention "On the Law on Treaties" as well as special excerpts from Albanian legislation related to the Statute of this Court such as, excerpts from the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, the Criminal Code, Law No. 8994, dated 23.12.2002, “On the ratification of the Rome Statute" as well as the decision of the Constitutional Court, No. 186, dated 23.11.2002, on the compatibility of the Rome Statute and the Albanian Constitution. The fourth part of the publication includes information on the round table discussion organized by the AHC on June 4th, 2004. The information provides the main conclusions and recommendations emerging from the round table discussion to state authorities for the purpose of full implementation of the Rome Statute in the Albanian legal context.

The publication was realized in the framework of the project "Raising awareness on the implementation of the International Criminal Court Statute in Albania", financially supported by the World Federalist Movement Institute and the International Criminal Court Coalition.