Erida Skendaj
Executive Director
Erida Skëndaj was appointed in February 2016, at the position of “Executive Director” of Albanian Helsinki Committee by the highest decision making body of the organization, respectively General Assembly. Graduated in 2006 with the title “Jurist” and in 2011 with the title “Master of Science in Criminal Science” at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. On 2008 was licensed as a Lawyer and in the same year joined the executive staff of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, as a lawyer and advocate specialized mainly in criminal law and human rights, by providing legal services to vulnerable groups (especially towards citizens deprived of their liberty), monitoring the institutions of the criminal justice system and elections, etc. In 2014 she was named “Lawyer Advisor”, part of the civil service of the Albanian Parliament, being engaged in the Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights to review the draft laws on issues of their compatibility with the Constitution and international acts and aspects of the legislative technique. In the beginning of 2015, was appointed as legal coordinator of the Technical Secretariat of the Judiciary Group, attached at the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee on Justice System Reform. The new engagement in AHC at the position of executive director, started de facto in the beginning of April 2016 and is consisting since that time mainly at the management of the executive staff and projects implemented by the organization in the field of Human Rights, Rule of Law (especially for Election, Anti-Corruption and Justice System), legal representation of the organization in relation with third parties (such as in media, international forums and activities, representation of organization as a Human Right Advocate for cases represented before Constitutional Court, Strasbourg Court and domestic courts also), providing legal opponent opinions for the draft laws that violates human rights and rule of law in Albania, etc. An important contribute for such position has been in providing legal expertise or legal quality assurance of study reports and think tank papers published by AHC in the field of Justice System, Human Rights, Anti-Corruption and Election’ Monitoring. Since the beginning of her carrier, Erida is author and co-author in the preparation of certain number of publications, research studies, reports and legal articles in the field of human rights, justice and judiciary institutions, corruption and impunity, concerning immunity and referendums.
Niazi Jaho
Legal Advisor
He finished his intermediary school in Gjirokastra, and the high School in Tirana. On April 1942 he was arrested in Tirana for antifascist activity. He took part in the National War and is a war veteran. Graduated Law in U.S.S.R. After finishing his study in Leningrad University he turned back in Albania and initially worked at judiciary organs but then he was attacked by the communist regime and was fired and interned. In 1990 he turned back in Tirana and in 1991 has been publishing some essays on different issues such as Constitutional problems, HR matters and others concerning regarding the proper implementation and application of legislation’s concepts of new democratic legislation in daily newspaper
Ledia Gjuzi
Office administrator
Graduated at Faculty of Foreign Languages, Master of Science in Teaching. With a three year experience in the field of telemarketing, as a customer service operator. Also she had two years of experience as an assistant at Core Pilates Tirana. She has been engaged with the AIESEC organization holding the position of Team Leader in the marketing Departament. Member for one year in the Student Council Union, as well as part of various professional internships. She currently holds the position of office administrator at Albanian Helsinki Committee.
Nosiana Burnazi
Paralegal/ Project Assistant
Nosiana Burnazi is continuing her Master of Science in Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana as an excellent student. She has been working with the organization "Walk in my shoes", as a project coordinator focusing on the education of the Roma community, and has further developed her legal knowledge at a law office. She has been part of the Parliament of Albania during a 7-month internship, where she assisted one of the deputies in drafting and analysing various draft laws and legal initiatives. Her areas of interest are mainly related to public law, writing and academic scientific research as well as human rights, where she has published a number of research articles in this context. From October 2023, she holds the position of Paralegal near the Legal Clinic as well as of the Project Assistant.
Teuta Pataj
Paralegal and Project Assistant
Hailing from a background in law, she has completed a Bachelor's Degree in Law as well as the Scientific Master's Degree in Civil Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, with very high results. Her professional journey began as a notary assistant, where she gained invaluable experience and insights into the process of drafting legal acts and the intricacies of legal procedures. She is a dedicated individual whose journey has been marked by a commitment to justice, advocacy, and empowerment. Her commitment to social causes and human rights is evident through her extensive volunteer work with various non-governmental national and international organizations, where she actively engaged with NGOs focused on human rights, women's rights, and youth empowerment. In November 2023, she began her professional internship at the Albanian Committee of Helsinki (AHC), where at the end of the 2-month internship, she was employed full-time and currently continues her work as a Paralegal and Project Assistant.
Emanuel Xhindi
Legal Assistant and Project Assistant
Emanuel Xhindi is currently finishing his studies and has achieved high results in an Integrated "Master of Science in Law" Program. Besides his occupation at the Albanian Helsinki Committee, Emanuel is an editor at "JURIST", at the University of Pittsburg, USA, for which he regularly contributes with articles focusing on legal-constitutional European developments. His fields of interest include civil procedural law and institutional interaction with bodies from the public administration as well as organizations from the civil society. Since June 2024, Emanuel holds the position of Legal Assistant and Project Assistant.