
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

Servete Ҫeka
Paralegal/Project Assistant
Servete graduated from the University of Tirana in Law with outstanding results as a student of excellence. She is currently pursuing her studies at the same University on Master of Science in Civil Law. She has been an active part of civil society for several years now and has a particular focus on human rights. She has been part of internships with various organizations, including NDI Albania and Walk in my Shoes NGO and during the second year of law studies was selected by the US Embassy to be part of an exchange program at North Central College during the academic year 2018-2019, where she had the chance to become more familiar with the common law system and had the opportunity to contribute to community service activities. She has participated in various competitions and conferences held by the Faculty of Law and has been part of the Board of ELSA Albania for the academic year 2020-2021. She has been part of the Albanian Helsinki Committee since March 2021.

Ardita Kolmarku
Lawyer/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.

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.

Anda Kruetani
Project Assistant
She has studied Political Science and International Relations at Epoka University during the academic period 2016-2019, where she graduated with high honors. In addition, she was the valedictorian of her faculty during the graduation ceremony. During the period January-July 2020, she followed a professional internship at the Albanian Helsinki Committee, where she was later employed part-time. From October 2020 she holds the position of Project Assistant, where she assists in the implementation and coordination of various projects. She continues her studies for a Master's degree at Epoka University.