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FAQ

14/07/2025

F.A.Q.

ANSWERS EVERYWHERE

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

How can you assist me if I believe my rights have been violated?

Through its Free Legal Clinic, the legal staff of the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) can provide legal assistance through the following services:

- Legal counseling regarding your complaint and the legal avenues available for addressing it;
- Monitoring of closed institutions (such as prisons or police stations) to verify the respect of the rights of persons deprived of liberty;
- Monitoring of court proceedings in which you may be a party;
- Assistance with completing documentation, including drafting the necessary legal requests and sending relevant legal materials (particularly copies of current legislation for individuals deprived of liberty);
- Institutional interventions by referring your complaint or request to the competent public authority in order to obtain information regarding the measures taken in response to it.

Do I have to be physically present at the AHC office to benefit from legal assistance?

No, physical presence is not required. You may contact us via mail, telephone, email, or our official website to initially submit your complaint. Following that, the responsible staff may reach out to schedule an in-person meeting if deemed necessary.

ADDRESS:
Rr. Brigada e VIII, "Tekno Projekt" Tower, Staircase 2, Apt. 10, 6th Floor, Tirana, Albania
Tel: +355 (0)4 223 3671
Mobile AHC Office: +355 68 20 236 99
Mobile Legal Clinic: +355 69 40 757 32
Email: office@ahc.org.al

Specific Questions

Can I request a free lawyer from AHC for my case?

Please note that AHC’s legal staff provides free legal counseling to all individuals in need. However, court representation is considered only when the following three criteria are met:

- The applicant belongs to a vulnerable group, such as: persons deprived of liberty, women/girls, members of minorities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, victims of criminal offenses, children, the elderly, etc.;
- The individual or their family lacks the financial means to hire a lawyer;
- The case contains elements of strategic litigation.

My rights or those of a family member were violated while in a Police Station or a Penal Institution. Can you help me?

Once your complaint has been reviewed, AHC’s legal staff will advise you on the appropriate administrative or judicial steps to follow, or may refer your complaint to the relevant public institutions through an official intervention. In certain cases, particularly those involving allegations of ill-treatment by staff within such institutions, AHC may conduct an on-site monitoring mission to verify the facts presented in the complaint.