On May 17, 2018, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) was informed by family members about the late Enea Ftoi, arrested by Korça police, who had died inthe police commissariat and sent to the Korça regional hospital. In a telephone conversation, family members claimed that police officers had used violence on him and the death had
Due to signals from the investigative media, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) monitored and provided legal assistance on the issue of discrimination due to the economic and social condition of citizens living in the vicinity of the former Torovica Camp, Balldre administrative unit, in Lezha Municipality. After highlighting the disturbing problems that the 15 families
VERY GRAVE SITUATION IN THE DIBRA POLICE COMMISSARIAT
Yesterday, May 8, 2018, a team of the Albanian Helsinki Committee conducted monitoring at the Dibra police commissariat in order to look on site at respect for the rights and freedoms of arrested, detained and accompanied persons. In fact, we did not find any. Being there, we verified the premises (rooms) where the arrested,
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DENOUNCE CORRUPTION IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has appreciated and appreciates positively the initiatives that have been undertaken and the legislation that is being implemented in order to guarantee the integrity, empowerment and independence of justice system bodies. However, corruption is not isolated. It is quite widespread. Many cases of corruption have been verified in the health
AHC observes the violation of the right to life and to a quiet family and private life of the inhabitants of the Vidhas and Balldren (Papër administrative unit, Elbasan) by the polluting oil processing activity of private operators
Based on and spurred by the story published in investigative media BIRN (Reporter.al) “Refinery, not perfumerie,” regarding the speaking up of inhabitants around the former Metallurgical plant against pollution, on February 20, 2018, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) verified on site the degree of air pollution due to the heavy oil smell and the pollution
FINDINGS AND STATISTICAL DATA SEPTEMBER 2017 – APRIL 2018 Main Findings The transitory re-evaluation of judges and prosecutors, otherwise known as vetting, has been considered by the Venice Commission a justified and necessary measure for Albania to protect against corruption, which, if not addressed, might entirely destroy the judicial system. Supporting bodies as well as
AHC is starting an initiative to monitor the new established institutions in the justice system
The new constitutional and legal framework for the reform of the justice system, foresees the organization and functioning of new governing justice institutions, specifically, the High Judicial Council (HJC), the High Council of the Prosecutor’s Office (HCP), the Justice Appointments Council, the High Inspector of Justice (HIJ) and the School of Magistrates. The Albanian Helsinki
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
Parallel to the judicial route, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has pursued administratively the case of discrimination in the treatment of convicts and detainees with regard to their rights as employees. AHC or state or non-state bodies, domestic or foreign, have found that in spite of the high number of 619 prisoners who work, they