STAFF

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

Ardita Kolmarku

Head of Free Legal Clinic & Projects Manager

Has studied Law, the Faculty of Law, the University of Tirana, and was graduated as “Excellent Student” in the Master of Criminal Law Sciences. During the period of studies, she has been engaged in trainings, conferences and has contributed as a co-author in academic essay. Prior to the full-time employment, she attended the AHC practice program from September 2017 to December 2017. Since January 2018 is part of the Albanian Helsinki Committee staff, in the functioning as paralegal near the Legal Clinic of AHC, and follows projects with various focus on the rights of convicted / pre-detained citizens, citizens with mental health disorders, establishment and monitoring the functioning of new organs of justice system governance, providing assistance to the citizens to address their complaints before the vetting bodies, sensitizing and providing legal assistance to citizens, etc. She is currently offering her modest contribution as Assistant Attorney at AHC.

Anda Kruetani

Project Coordinator

She has studied Political Science and International Relations at Epoka University during the academic period 2016-2019, wherein she graduated with high honors. In addition, she was her faculty’s valedictorian during the graduation ceremony. Subsequently, during the 2020-2022 period, she completed her Master of Science degree in the same discipline, while also being engaged as a Project Assistant for the Albanian Helsinki Committee. From January 2023, she holds the position of a Project Coordinator in the following fields: democratization, elections, regional security and EU approximation of policies and legal frameworks. At the same time, she is an integral part of the organization’s fundraising team.

Erdion Maçolli

Lawyer at the Legal Clinic

Mr. Maçolli graduated in 2016, with high results from the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. After graduating from the National School of Advocacy, he was provided with a license to practice law. In addition of practicing this profession, he has been engaged as an expert in several projects implemented by non-profit organizations, focusing on the Justice system and youth programs. He is currently an External Lecturer at the Department of Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law, for the subject "Criminal Law, Specific Provisions" and has an active contribution in the field of scientific research, focusing on criminal law, where he is author and co-author. in some publications. At the Albanian Helsinki Committee, he has been engaged since July as a Lawyer of the Legal Clinic, for groups of people in need.

Albana Veshi

Finance Manager

Albana has a proven track record of high-level financial leadership in a complex financial environment, advising managers about the financial impact of new policy initiatives, and presenting complex data or information to individuals or groups of people at different levels knowledge of the relevant topic. Albana is a graduate of Tirana University, Faculty of Economics, Finance & Accounting Department, specialized in Finance and Accounting. Her continuous professional education has been of a paramount importance during these years. She has attended various training in IFRS, national accounting standards, financial innovation and successfully finished her studies as an international expert. Albana is a fellow member of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). Albana is specialized in Financial Services industry, and has extensive working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards, US GAAP, local accounting standards and local legislation. She has contributed for several years as part-time lecturer in Faculty on Economy, University of Tirana. Albana has contributed as finance mentor in different projects funded from European Commission and other donors. She is currently offering her contribution as finance manager at AHC.

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.

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.

Ardita Matlija

Project Assistant

MSc. Ardita (Ari) Matlija graduated in 2022 in Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with high results, at the University of Tirana, where she also completed her Bachelor studies in Psychology. She was engaged for a year as a project assistant and translator in the Albanian-Swedish Juvenile Justice Program by the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and worked closely with the Swedish Prison and Probation Service on this program. She is the author of two scientific studies: 1. Personality Traits and Death Anxiety (2020) 2. Neglect, personality, and defensive styles: The relationship of neglect, cluster B personality disorders, and defensive levels in a nonclinical sample of students (2022) Also, she has been and is a volunteer for various organizations such as: Jonathan Centre, Streha Centre and currently as a member of the Youth Council of the American Embassy in Albania. She has been working with the Albanian Committee of Helsinki since June 2023 as a project assistant, mainly in the field of violent extremism and the protection of human rights.

Eriselda Ndreca

Paralegal & Project Assistant

Graduated with excellent results in the study cycles "Bachelor in Law" and "Master of Science in Civil Law", at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. Throughout her academic journey, she has joined and engaged as an intern in several civil society organizations. She has also been engaged as a legal assistant at the Legal Office "Rakipi & Partners" ltd. In November 2022, she began her professional internship at the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), where at the end of the 2-month internship, she was employed full-time and currently continues to work as a Paralegal and Project Assistant. He is currently registered with the Bar Association of Albania, for the 1-year Internship of the Assistant-Lawyer, as well as with the National School of Attorneys for following the 1-year cycle of initial training.

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