Opening of Negotiations
According to reports in the media, the European Commission, through a report on Albania that it prepared, decided to recommend the unconditional opening of accession talks for Albania. The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) lauds this decision, hoping that it will mark another step forward in the respect for human rights and freedoms. This is a
We are late on electoral reform
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) expresses its concern about the fact that although today, April 13, 2018, the 6-month mandate of the Special Parliamentary Commission on Electoral Reform ends, there is no information on whether consensus has been reached on any important issue that has been addressed or whether work has begun on writing the
FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND PARTICIPATION IN THEM IS GUARANTEED
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has followed the protest of Kukës inhabitants to express their dissatisfaction on the fee for maintaining the Nation’s Road. This right, according to article 1 of the Law “On rallies” is limited only when national security, public safety, protection of public order and prevention of crime, protection of health or
INDEPENDENT QUALIFICATION COMMISSION ACCEPTS ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE REQUEST
On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the first hearing session will be held for one of the subjects of the transitory evaluation (vetting) in the Palace of Congresses, i.e. for the broad public. The notification has been made by the Independent Qualification Commission (IQC), on its official website. Thus, the IQC has made possible transparency in
Economic Welfare, A Disturbing Problem
By means of the print and broadcast media, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has been informed about the concern of a considerable number of citizens who complain that they have been removed unjustly from the economic welfare scheme. AHC does not prejudice how lawful and founded is this or that welfare scheme that has been
INHUMAN TREATMENT AT ZAHARIA (KRUJA) PRISON ON MENTALLY ILL INMATES REMANDED TO COMPULSORY MEDICATION
On March 2, 2018, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) monitored respect for the rights of convicted and detained persons with mental health problems at the Zaharia Prison (Kruja) as well as of persons who, by court ruling, should have been placed in specialized institutions for compulsory medication. Based on our monitoring, it results that in
Amnesty, indicator of a humane penal policy
Based on media reports, we have been informed that there will be no amnesty this year. This is an exclusive competence of the Assembly. However, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) deems it necessary to highlight the intent of the amnesty, referring to international standards as well as amnesty laws approved by the Assembly of the
Press Statement – Inhuman Treatment of a Convict at the Peqin Prison
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), based on a signal it received that violence was exerted on a convict at the IEPD Peqin on 04.10.2017, conducted a verification on site, whereby it resulted that on 30.09.2017, around 22:30, the group on duty of Prison Police carried out an inspection for prohibited items at the High Security
More transparency about the evaluation of the professional capabilities of prosecutors in the context of the vetting process
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), with support from the Open Society Foundation Albania, is engaged in monitoring one of the most important processes of justice reform, that of vetting. On August 9, 2017, AHC submitted a request for information to institutions that collaborate with vetting bodies for the evaluation of assets, the control of the
POOR PARTICIPATION IN COMPETITION FOR GOVERNING BODIES OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
On September 20, 2017, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) monitored the special meeting of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) for the selection of candidates for members of the High Judicial Council (HJC) and the High Prosecutorial Council (HPC). During the monitoring, we found that representatives from the HEI and the School of Magistrates respected article