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- 07/08/2015in Declarations & Press Releases
Albanian Helsinki Committee has participated in the 6th World Congress, “Against the Death Penalty” organized in Oslo on 21-23 June 2016
This activity was organized since in 2001 with the aim that together representatives of civil society, politicians, lawyers and journalists from all around the world, can develop new strategies for abolishment of death penalty in their respective countries where is applicable. It turns out that 140 countries have abolished death penalty. Since the ... - 27/06/2025in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE-ON THE MONITORING REPORTS ON THE GOVERNING BODIES OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
The three most important bodies for the governing of the new justice system, the High Judicial Council, the High Prosecutorial Council, and the High Justice Inspector during 2023 were faced with a series of challenges that weakened their effectiveness. These challenges were partially related also to the vacancies that the judicial and prosecutorial... - 13/05/2025in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Statement – The Lack Of Preventive Institutional Reaction And Trade Union Voices On Tragic Accidents At Work In Recent Weeks, Disturbing
According to reports in the media, in less than one month, there have been 7 victims at work.[1] The latest case was seen at the Holta Creek (Gramsh), where the project for the construction of a hydropower station is being implemented. Two young men, aged 22 and 32, passed away. Before this case, in Klos,... - 12/05/2025in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Joint Statement — On The Preliminary Findings And Conclusions Of The Monitoring Of The Parliamentary Elections Of May 11, 2025
With a team of 60 observers, AHC, CR, and IPS engaged in monitoring the pre-election process and the environment around this process, respect for electoral silence, the voting process, and partially the vote counting process. During the voting process, observers from AHC and CR extended their monitoring over 163 Voting Centers in 17 municipalities ... - 23/04/2025in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – PHYSICAL VIOLENCE EXERCISED ON THE MINOR ACCOMPANIED IN POLICE COMMISSARIAT NO. 1 (TIRANA) SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED WITH PRIORITY AND SERIOUSNESS
On 17.04.2025, citizens O.Z. and E.G., inhabitants in Tirana, parents of 14-year-old minor J.G. notified the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) that on 12.04.2025, at the area near the Tirana Lake Hill, their son J.G. had been accompanied by officers of Police Commissariat no. 1, Tirana, because he had been caught throwing firecrackers. In their com... - 25/03/2025in Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – SERIOUS INCIDENT AT DETENTION ROOMS SECTOR IN THE REGIONAL DIRECTORY
According to media reports from 13.03.2025, citizen D.G. committed suicide in the Detention Rooms Sector at the Tirana Regional Police Directory. On the basis of these reports, on 17.03.2025, through a group of observers, AHC verified on site the circumstances of this suicide. Following the monitoring, it resulted that: Citizen D.G. had been detain... - 12/03/2025in Declarations & Press Releases
PUBLIC STATEMENT- ON THE PRIORITY ISSUES AND NEED OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, TWO MONTHS AHEAD OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION DATE
Based on the Electoral Code, today is the last day for political subjects, parties or coalitions, participating in the parliamentary elections of May 11, 2025, to submit the multi-name lists. Two months later, citizens will be voting. With the submission of the lists, the electoral campaign de facto begins for candidates and electoral subjects. Att... - 03/02/2025in Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT-AMENDMENTS TO PROCEDURAL LEGISLATION IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM INFRINGE UPON ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE FOR CITIZENS
Tirana, February 3, 2025 PRESS STATEMENT Amendments to procedural legislation in the justice system infringe upon access to justice and the quality of justice for citizens By means of the Assembly’s Public Consultation platform, the Albanian Helsinki Committee became familiar with three draft laws, which are of importance for the activity and missi... - 10/01/2025in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
JOINT STATEMENT-IN PROTECTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF ELECTIONS AND THE PROHIBITION OF THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OF MAY 11, 2025
Our organizations, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), the Institute of Political Studies (IPS), and the Civic Resistance (CR), with experience in monitoring and addressing recommendations regarding electoral matters and problems, are hereby reacting publicly, considering that on January 11, 2025, the ban envisaged in electoral legislation on th... - 18/12/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Economic and Social Rights of Migrants in Albania
Albania has made notable efforts to align its legal framework with international human rights standards for migrants. However, several gaps in implementation continue to hinder access to essential services for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. This brief highlights the primary issues and offers recommendations to ensure that migrants in Alban... - 11/12/2024in 0 - News, Announcements
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR CANCELLATION AND REOPENING OF THE CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: REGIONAL GRANTS FOR STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
We inform you that the call for proposals for regional grants under the project ‘Inclusion of Foreigners in the Western Balkans – Access to Social and Economic Rights’ (FOSTER), supported by the European Union’s Civil Society Facility and Media Programme, which was launched on 04.11.2024, has been canceled due to changes in the ap... - 05/11/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT: HASTY OR DELAYED ACTIONS IN SERIOUS VIOLATION OF STANDARDS FOR THE EXTRADITION OF RUSSIAN CITIZEN I.K
Upon request of Russian authorities (Interpol NCB Moscow), Russian citizen I.K. was declared internationally wanted because the Moscow court issued the remand measure of arrest in prison, on 18.02.2022, because the citizen is suspected of committing a criminal act. Russian citizen I.K. appears to have been arrested on 27.08.2023, by the Shkodra Loc... - 04/11/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS: REGIONAL GFRANTS TO STREGTHEN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS FOR VULNERABLE FOREIGNERS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
The Inclusion of Foreigners in the Western Balkans – Access to Social and Economic Rights (FOSTER) project, with the support of the European Union’s Civil Society Facility and Media Programme, is announcing a formal call for project proposals for regional grants to strengthen social and economic rights for vulnerable foreigners in the Western Balka... - 24/09/2024in Declarations & Press Releases
MEDIA STATEMENT – THE RIGHTS OF JOURNALISTS AND OTHER MEDIA WORKERS SHOULD BE RESPECTED
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), pursuant to its mission, has become familiar with the complaint of a journalist whose anonymity it is obliged to respect. Based on this complaint and the data that AHC possesses from its activity, such as the case of the interruption of labor relations of some employees of the Albanian Radio... - 29/05/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – INVESTIGATE WITH PRIORITY THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE ON PROF. SOKOL MËNGJESI
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) became aware through the media about serious acts of violence on Prof. Sokol Mëngjesi, lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, and at the same time a lawyer by profession. These acts occurred as he was getting out of the kindergarten where he had taken his child, in... - 26/04/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press statement – Lacking transparency and accountability of high-level officials on corruption cases
In recent days, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) became familiar with Annual Reports presented to the Assembly of the Republic by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organize Crime (SPAK) and the General Prosecutor about the situation of criminality in the country. Upon completion of the process since about two years, AHC considers th... - 12/03/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Open Letter – Appeal for Review of the Immigration Agreement with Italy
To the Government of Albania! A group of civil society organizations and human rights activists, after being informed with the fact of the signature of a “Protocol” between Albania and Italy, on the use of Albanian territory for the creation of areas intended for the reception and holding of asylum-seeking refugees1, protocol signed in ... - 02/03/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
JOINT Statement on Progress of Electoral Reform
By decision 102/2023, the Assembly extended by six months the mandate for the activity of the Special Parliamentary Committee on the Realization of Electoral Reform, which expires on March 21, 2024. The responsibility of the Committee is to address the recommendations that have not yet been implemented from OSCE/ODIHR missions, decisions of the Con... - 30/01/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PUBLIC REACTION – Return of NGO’s Amicus Curiae – regress in Constitutional Court jurisprudence
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) together with 31 local, regional, and european organizations, submitted on 17.12.2023 to the Constitutional Court (CC), an amicus curiae in the interest of the constitutional review of the Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Italy and the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania (RA) “On s... - 17/01/2024in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
AMICUS CURIAE IN THE INTEREST OF CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW
ON THE PROTOCOL BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY AND THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA ON STRENGTHENING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF MIGRATION Introduction In the beginning of November 2023, the media made public news of the signing of the Protocol between the Government of the Republic of Italy... - 20/12/2023in Grants
CALL FOR PROJECT-PROPOSALS – INCLUSION OF FOREIGNERS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS – ACCESS TOSOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS (FOSTER)
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “Inclusion of FOreigners in WB – accesS To social and Economic Rights (FOSTER)”, implemented in cooperation with the other members of the Balkan Refugee and Migration Council (BRMC)1 and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), aims to address common migration-related challenges in ... - 21/11/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT PARTIALLY ABOLISHES SOME OF THE PROVISIONS OF LAW NO. 80/2021 “FOR THE REGISTRATION OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS”
Victory for the Civic Sector and Organizational Freedom The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in partnership with the organizations Civil Rights Defender (Tirana Branch), the Albanian Media Council, the Alliance against LGBT Discrimination and the Balkan Network for Investigative Journalism Albania – Balkans (BIRN Albania) invested the Consti... - 16/11/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – STOP HATE SPEECH IN THE MEDIA AND DENIGRATING LANGUAGE WITH ELEMENTS OF PRESSURE TOWARD JUSTICE BODIESPRESS STATEMENT –
Pursuant to its mission for respect for and protection of citizens’ rights and freedoms, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) follows, verifies, and monitors their implementation, in accordance with the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), the Constitution, domestic legislation, and other international documents that we adhere to or that re... - 27/10/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – SERIOUS INCIDENT AT DRENOVA PRISON
Some days ago, I.J. who is serving an imprisonment sentence at the Drenova prison addressed theAlbanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) with the following complaint:a) An unfair measure has been imposed on me. They imposed special supervision on me forthree months.b) They used handcuffs and chains to tie me to the bed for six days. I have... - 09/06/2023in Announcements
RE-LAUNCH CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERTAlbanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “No Corruption, Yes Democracy”, financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aims at empowering civil society sector in the role as main actors of fighting corruption and contributing in the development of the democracy and ... - 04/05/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
May 3, World Press Freedom Day!
The Albanian Helsinki Committee is engaged in contributing to the protection of the rights of media workers, respect for which is a guarantee for having a free and independent media. journalists enjoy not only the right to freedom of expression, but also the right to employment, proper working conditions, protection against censorship and self-cens... - 20/04/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
REQUEST FOR OFFER – FOR A COMMERCIAL SUBJECT/EXPERT RESPONSIBLE FOR PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) is implementing the initiative “Increasing the oversight role and citizens’ demands through the support of CSOs, media and academia”, financially supported by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and developed in cooperation with the Institute of Political Studies, Civic Re... - 04/04/2023in 0 - News, Announcements
EXTENDED DEADLINE_CALL FOR APPLICATIONS_Human Resouces ExpertEXTENDED DEADLINE
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “No Corruption, Yes Democracy”, financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aims at empowering civil society sector in the role as main actors of fighting corruption and contributing in the development of the democracy and ... - 28/03/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – ATTACK ON TOP CHANNEL
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) strongly condemns the assault through numerous bullets toward national broadcaster Top Channel in the morning of March 27, 2023. This very dangerous mafioso assault has shocked and disturbed the entire public opinion and especially the community of journalists. Television and media in general as is known are ve... - 20/03/2023in 0 - News, Announcements
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERT
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “No Corruption, Yes Democracy”, financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aims at empowering civil society sector in the role as main actors of fighting corruption and contributing in the development of the democracy and ... - 14/02/2023in 0 - News
Joint reaction by a group of civil society organizations for Free and Fair Elections
Introduction We, a group of civil society organizations, whose mission focus is the protection of human rights and guaranteeing the conduct of free and fair elections, in keeping with the Constitution and international standards, are proactively monitoring the electoral process for the local government bodies of May 14, 2023. Albania has already be... - 10/02/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Disturbing pollution from hydrocarbons in Zharrëz
Authorities react poorly and do not collaborate effectively For about four months, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has been monitoring the environmental pollution from hydrocarbon waste and the real and potential threat to the health and lives of inhabitants of the Zharrëz Administrative Unit, Patos Municipality, Fier County. Initially, on Oc... - 13/01/2023in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Statement – Institutions obstruct AHC observers to monitor the procedures pursued in the case of the loss of life of convict E. Sheshi
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) was informed through the media that citizen E. Sheshi, a detainee in IEPD 313, due ot his health condition, was sent on 08.01.2023, to the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center (MTUHC), where he passed away. AHC conveys its sinecere condolences to the family of the deceased. Taking into consideration the... - 07/12/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) condemns the act of violence, in the rally of December 6, 2022, exerted upon the Member of the Parliament of Albania Mr. Sali Berisha, former President and former Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania. The person who committed this criminal offense was identified and the Prosecution Office at the... - 22/11/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
AHC monitoring report case Zubeyde Hanim
MAIN FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS On the monitoring of the judicial administrative process on Security the lawsuit “On closing the activity of the Private Pre-university Education Institution, Kindergarten “Zubeyde Hanim” (Tirana) Pursuant to its mission, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) monitored the judicial administrative process at the Adminis... - 21/10/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE 9
The Albanian Helsinki Committee, based on media reports from 20.10.2022 about 32-year-old man L.K. that indicated that he had been accompanied to the Police Commissariat no. 3 in Tirana and then had been sent to the Trauma Hospital where his death was announced, deemed it necessary to verify this data on site. At Police Commissariat... - 13/10/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Statement – Regulations of the High Prosecutorial Council infringes upon the minimum standards for freedom of expression
Media access to obtain information and convey it to the broad public is of a special importance. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has formulated a group of principles and rules that grant media a special status. The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) paid special attention to becoming familiar with the new Regulations of the... - 10/10/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Conclusions on the monitoring of the judicial administrative process to secure the lawsuit for the closing of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy College
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), pursuant to its mission, monitored the judicial administrative process at the Administrative Court of First Instance, for securing the lawsuit requested by the Gulistan Foundation, regarding the closing of the Mehmet Akif Ersoy College (private pre-university education institution). Today, on October 7, 2022, ... - 30/09/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT
Procedures of authorities to close down “Mehmet Akif Ersoy” Turkish College do not meet the standards of due process, resulting in the issuance of a harsh, hasty, disproportionate measure with harmful consequences After the complaint by lecturers and students of the Private Pre-University Educational Institution “Mehmet Akif Ersoy” regarding the cl... - 30/09/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Statement – Tragic Event in Kavajë Commissariat Could Have Been Prevented
In the afternoon of May 5, 2022, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), based on media reports on the self-hanging in the Kavajë Commissariat of young man Ilvi Meta, sent a team of observers to verify on site this painful and tragic incident. Based on the verification, the following resulted: On May 4, based on an... - 15/07/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Release
Avoid Formal Consultations in Parliament Minister of Justice Should Publicly Apologize to Non-Governmental Organizations The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) appreciates the initiatives of Parliamentary Committees that, pursuant to article 36 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure and the important function of Parliament for parliamentary oversigh... - 06/07/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THE HJC SHOULD REFLECT WITH PRIORITY TO THE BOYCOTT OF LAWYERS AND THEIR LEGITIMATE REQUESTS
From the moment the preliminary evaluation of the new judicial map was discussed, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) drew attention to the lack of an objective, comprehensive, and inclusive study of the drastic reduction of the number of courts in the country. Twenty days ago, the High Judicial Council, by decision no. 211, approved the... - 27/06/2022in 0 - News, Announcements, Grants
CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS – “NO to Corruption, YES to Democracy”
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), through the initiative “No to Corruption, Yes to Democracy” funded by the Government of Sweden, aims to strengthening Civil Society contribution in promoting respect for human rights, democracy and anti-corruption in Albania. In the framework of this initiative, AHC opens the call for project proposals to suppor... - 15/06/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
REQUEST FOR BID – SUBJECT / COMPANY THAT TRADES ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, WITH THE AIM OF PURCHASING AN OFFICE PRINTER
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Albania, as part of the “Drive for Democracy” / “Determined for Democracy” Initiative, is implementing the “No Corruption, Yes Democracy” project, financially supported by SIDA. The objective of this project is to empower the civil s... - 11/06/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
IT EXPERTS Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “No Corruption, Yes Democracy”, financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aims at empowering civil society sector in the role as main actors of fighting corruption and contributing in the development of the dem... - 07/06/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
REQUEST FOR BID – SUBJECT / COMPANY MEDIA FOR PUBLISHING THE NOTICE OF THE SUB- GRANT SCHEME
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Albania, as part of the “Drive for Democracy” / “Determined for Democracy” Initiative, is implementing the “No to Corruption, Yes to Democracy” project, financially supported by SIDA. The objective of this project is to empower the c... - 24/05/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
SUBJECTS/IT EXPERTS Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), in the framework of the initiative “No Corruption, Yes Democracy”, financially supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) aims at empowering civil society sector in the role as main actors of fighting corruption and contributing in the development o... - 29/04/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
REQUEST FOR BID
SUBJECT IN VLORA / DHËRMI THAT OFFERS ACCOMMODATION, MEETING ROOM AND FULL-BOARD MEALS FOR 9 PARTICIPANTS FOR 2 NIGHTS AND FOR 1 PARTICIPANT FOR ONE NIGHT The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Albania, as part of the “Drive for Democracy” / “Determined for Democracy” Initiative, is ... - 29/04/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
REQUEST FOR BID – SUBJECT / COMPANY THAT TRADES ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, WITH THE AIM OF PURCHASING A LAPTOP DEVICE
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Albania, as part of the “Drive for Democracy” / “Determined for Democracy” Initiative, is implementing the “No Corruption, Yes Democracy” project, financially supported by SIDA. The objective of this project is to empower the civil s... - 26/04/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
POLICY DOCUMENT – THE VETTING PROCESS IN THE CONTEXT OF OBLIGATIONS FOR INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION
This publication of the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) was realized in the context of the project C1 – EU – NPA, “Improving Debate on Policies and Accountability to Fulfill Basic Rights, through the creation of the Cluster 1 Albania Platform of Negotiations,” implemented by four Albanian organizations, the Center for the Study of Democracy and... - 13/04/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
OPEN LETTER – ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE EXCLUDED WITHOUT REASON FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ASYLUM AND REFUGEES
To: Mr. Bledar Çuçi, Minister, Ministry of Interior HONORABLE MINISTER, Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 206, dated 16.03.2016 “On the creation, composition, organization, and functioning of the National Commission for Asylum and Refugees,”[1] (hereinafter the Commission), based on article 100 of the Constitution and paragraph 2, article 22... - 25/02/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE – CALL FOR ACTION BY A GROUP OF ALBANIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
A group of Albanian civil society organizations, which are independent, non-government, and have a mission to protect and respect fundamental human rights and freedoms, condemn harshly, with pain, and indignation the brutal, military, planned, and treacherous Russian assault against the independent Republic of Ukraine. In these grave and difficult ... - 11/02/2022in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PUBLIC STATEMENT – Critique of Proposals for the New Judicial Map for Albania
In the situation of disturbing vacancies created in our judicial system and to fulfill the objectives envisaged in the new legislation of the justice system, the group of civil society organizations that signed this public statement appreciates in principle, as a very important process, the reorganization of courts and their territorial competencie... - 26/01/2022in 0 - News, Announcements
PRESS RELEASE – CANDIDATES FOR THE LOCAL BY-ELECTIONS IN THE SIX MUNICIPALITIES SHOULD NOT BE THE PRODUCT OF PARTY MONOPOLY OR CLIENTEELISM
Based on the decree of the President of the Republic, local by-elections will be held for Mayors of Municipalities in Shkodra, Dibra, Durrës, Vora, Rrogozhina, and Lushnje on March 6, 2022. The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) appreciates the initiative of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to move fast with measures especially in terms of sett... - 13/12/2021in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
On the occasion of Anti-Corruption day, on 9th of December 2021, Albanian Helsinki Committee consulted in a technical roundtable with the actors of justice system and representatives of civic society, the key findings and recommendations resulted from a professional, independent and constructive analysis of the activity of two Councils and courts w... - 17/05/2021in 0 - News, Announcements
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – ARTICLES / VIDEOS ON MEDIA FREEDOM
The Albanian Helsinki Committee, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana, on March 18-19, 2021, organized the Regional Media Conference “Digital Media in a new era: The route to self-regulation, ethics and independence”, which aimed to address the challenges and solutions of media representatives, in terms of pro... - 24/03/2021in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT – ASSEMBLY APPROVES IMPORTANT JUSTICE REFORM AMENDMENTS IN THE ABSENCE OF A CONSULTATION PROCESS AND TRANSPARENCY
Civil society expresses its concern about the process of approval by the Assembly of Albania of ten draft laws linked with the justice reform package. The Assembly approved in its latest plenary session ten draft laws, in violation of procedures according to articles 26, 27, and 28 of the of the Assembly Rules of Procedure,... - 22/02/2021in 0 - News
DEADLINE EXTENSION – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE REGIONAL MEDIA CONFERENCE – GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Albanian Helsinki Committee is implementing the project “Digital Media in a new era: The route to self-regulation, ethics and independence”, financially supported by the Dutch government. In this framework, AHC supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania and the Regional Rule of Law Network of the Netherlands Ministry of F... - 02/02/2021in 0 - News, Announcements
Call for applications for participants in the Regional Media Conference
Albanian Helsinki Committee is implementing the project “Digital Media in a new era: The route to self-regulation, ethics and independence”, financially supported by the Dutch government. In this framework, AHC supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania and the Regional Rule of Law Network of the Netherlands Ministry of F... - 01/02/2021in 0 - News, Announcements, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE VALIDITY OF VOTERS’ ID CARDS The media has reported several times that a considerable number of Albanian citizens, although the validity of their identification cards has expired, have not sought to renew them. TheAlbanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) does not possess official data on what the number of Albania... - 29/01/2021in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Statement
Official notification of voters in their places of residence is a legal requirement, according to article 52 of the Electoral Code Pursuant to its mission, the Albanian Helsinki Committee, conducted during October 21-26, 2020, an observation in 11 local government units of Tirana in order to find out on site whether the voters’ lists had... - 28/01/2021in 0 - News
Evaluation of Human Rights and Rule of Law during the Albanian Presidency of OSCE
Please click here to read the full report.... - 27/01/2021in 0 - News, Announcements
AHC suggests to political parties (electoral subjects) to submit at a reasonable time the list of candidates for MP in order for them to be subjected to relevant verifications regarding the ‘integrity of their character”
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) particularly appreciates that candidates for MP for the Assembly of Albania enjoy the confidence of the public in the parliamentary elections that will be held on April 25, 2021. In this regard, one of the main requirements is the rigorous implementation of law no. 138/2015 “On guaranteeing the integrity of... - 11/01/2021in 0 - News, Announcements
PRESS RELEASE
On October 5, 2020, the Assembly of the Republic of Albania approved the draft law “On some additions and amendments to the Electoral Code.” Among the amended provisions is paragraph 3 of article 67 of the Electoral Code, which allows the Chairperson of the party or of the leading party of the coalition to register... - 16/12/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
30th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Albanian Helsinki Committee Commemorated
On December 16, 1990, in the last breath of the former dictatorial regime and the very first steps of the establishment of democracy, the Forum for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms was created. In 1993, the Forum was admitted as a member of the International Helsinki Federation, based in Vienna, and since then... - 10/12/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
December 10 marks Human Rights Day
72 years ago, on December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly approved the Universal Declaration of Human Right. The Declaration rose as a response to the horrors of World War II and represents the first global effort for the protection of those rights that many people believed were fundamental rights that belonged to all human beings.... - 15/09/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
PRESS STATEMENT
CHILDREN VICTIMS OF ISIS VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN SYRIA The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) supports and encourages the protest of citizens, cleric officials, and family members of children who are located in the Syrian camps of ISIS, the terrorist organization of violent extremism. About 51 Albanian children are living in these camps in misery and f... - 02/06/2020in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE: Electoral Reform in the Political Council – Not a Monopoly of Political Parties
As is known, the exercise of the right to elect and be elected represents a fundamental right sanctioned in the constitution and in international acts ratified by our country. This is why the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), pursuant to its mission has been engaged continuously in the monitoring of parliamentary and local government elections, si... - 13/05/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
Press Release: Assembly and freedom of organization – A fundamental right revise normative act no. 3, of 15.03.2020
Assembly and freedom of organization – A fundamental right revise normative act no. 3, of 15.03.2020 According to the Constitution, our law on assembly, and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), as well as other international documents, freedom of organization and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights of man. Article 11 of the EC... - 04/03/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
Normative Act 1 surpasses the constitutional competences of the Council of Ministers, violates the principle of the separation and balancing of powers, and human rights and freedoms
A group of civil society organizations believe that the Normative Act with the power of a law no. 1, known as the Anti-KÇK package, goes against important principles that stand at the foundations of the rule of law, stipulated in the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court. ... - 04/03/2020in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Legal critique on the Normative Act with the power of a law of the Council of Ministers, no. 1, dated 31.01.2020
With their letter of February 5, 2020, a group of civil society organizations addressed the Speaker of the Assembly to convey their preliminary reactions regarding the normative act with the power of a law no. 1, dated, 31.01.2020 “On preventive measures in the context of strengthening the fight agianst terror, organized crime, serious crimes, and... - 14/02/2020in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
Press Release: Proposed amendments to the law on Albanian State Police weaken the independence of the judiciary and jeopardize the right to privacy
A group of civil society organizations, pursuant to their earlier reactions, upon becoming familiar with the draft law “On some additions and amendments to the law no. 108/2014 “On State Police,” submitted by the Council of Ministers to the Assembly of the Republic of Albania, published on the official website of the Assembly (part of... - 10/02/2020in 0 - News, Announcements
CALL FOR QUOTATION
Subject: Call for quotation on purchasing artistic books for high school libraries. Directed to: All interested subjects that fulfil the criteria and conditions as addressed below. Description: Albanian Helsinki Committee through the initiative “Values based educational activities to build resilience to VE among youth in Albania”, supported by the ... - 02/07/2019in 0 - News, Announcements
PRESS CONFERENCE
PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE MONITORING OF THE ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT BODIES ON JUNE 30, 2019 The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) is one of the domestic organizations that monitored partially all electoral processes that were conducted in the country since 1996. 115 short-term and long-term AHC observers, accr... -
PRESS RELEASE
In the second half of March 2019, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) reported that in the city of Tirana, Local Government Units did not send any written notice to voters in their residences, pertaining which voting center they would vote in on June 30, 2019 and in which ordinal number of voter lists their name... - 27/03/2019in 0 - News, Announcements
PRESS STATEMENT
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), aware of the grave incident that took place in the city of Elbasan with the killing of lawyer Ravik Gurra, expresses its profound condolences to the family and relatives of the victim. AHC also joins the human indignation of lawyers and associations of lawyers in the country toward this grave... -
POLLUTION IN SPITALLË, DURRËS, CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW BY STATE AUTHORITIES
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), based on complaints from inhabitants of the Spitallë area (Durrës Municipality) that as a result of the dumping of fishing waste to the drainage canal in the area, environmental pollution in their area being beyond any limit, foul smell (particularly in the summer) had become unberable thus affecting their hea... - 23/01/2019in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
URGENT NEED FOR BROAD AND CONSTRUCTIVE POLITICAL DIALOGUE ON ELECTORAL REFORM
We are just a few months away from the June 30, 2019, elections for local government bodies. In the Assembly of Albania, the majority has submitted a draft for some amendments to the Electoral Code in force, while the Speaker of Parliament of Albania, in a meeting with reporters, referring to this draft, said that... - 13/12/2018in Declarations & Press Releases
5% FOR EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE!
Tirana, December 13, 2018 – Civil Society Organisations in Albania through this public statement express their support to the student’s demand for the increase by 5% of GDP of the education budget in Albania. Albania invests only 3.3% of GDP on education, far from international and regional standards. This low investment rate undermines the r... - 12/12/2018in 0 - News, Announcements
ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES ORDERED TO SUPPLY CLEAN WATER FOR ROMA AFTER DISCRIMINATION CASE
Tirana, Budapest 10 December 2018: A Romani community in Fushe Kruje, Albania have won a case before the Commissioner for the Protection from Discrimination, after taking on the local municipality for refusing to provide them with clean drinking water and sanitation. The Commissioner found that the municipality of Kruje discriminated against Romani... - 22/11/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
PRESS RELEASE
On 19 November 2018, the Administrative Court of First Instance in Tirana stated positively by leaving in force the Decision of the Commissioner on Protection from Discrimination. Through this decision, initiated by a complaint lodged by the Albanian Helsinki Committee, it is found that the prisoners working in the prison system are discriminated, ... - 15/11/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
Real consultation and hearings with New Ring-Road inhabitants (Astir Area) Necessary
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has become aware and has followed protests conducted by inhabitants of the Astir area, in Tirana, whose houses are to be demolished as a result of the implementation of the project for building the New Ring-Road. A representative of the Albanian Helsinki Committee held a meeting yesterday with some of... - 08/11/2018in Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
Press Release
Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), which mission has been and remains to respect the freedoms and rights of citizens, including those of national minorities, expresses its indignation and strongly condemns what happened today in Bularat. A group of persons from Greece used the funeral ceremony of the citizen Kostandin Kacifa, by turning it into a t... - 01/11/2018in Announcements
Press Statement
Progress of the vetting process in the justice system is of special importance for the creation of the new institutions, for fulfilling the country’s constitutional and integration obligations, for unblocking stalemates created in the process of filling vacancies in the Constitutional Court and the High Court, as well as for meeting in a timely man... - 19/10/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Vulnerable Groups - Press Statement and Notice
On Discrimination of Persons with Medical Measures, “Compulsory Medication in a Medical Institution” and Patients with Security Measures “Temporary Hospitalization in a Psychiatric Hospital”, illegally accommodated in penitentiary institutions
On 19 October 2018, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) addressed to the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, through a complaint with the object: On Discrimination of Persons with Medical Measures, “Compulsory Medication in a Medical Institution” and Patients with Security Measures “Temporary Hospitalization in a Ps... - 16/10/2018in 0 - News, Announcements
Greek Helsinki addresses the Council of Europe for the cases of torture and non-human treatment including Albanian citizens
The Greek Helsinki Monitor, addresses to the President of Council of Ministers, of the Council of Europe, requesting among others, reopening of investigations for 12 cases obtained at the Strasbourg Court, with the defendants from Greece. One of these cases is Çelniku against Greece (Ilir Çelniku was killed from the Greek police forces in Novermbe... - 28/09/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
Press Release
The Albanian Helsinki Committee was informed by the Greek Helsinki Monitor that the progress of the investigative and judicial process to uncover the alleged case of torture by Greek police against the Albanian citizen, the deceased Pellumb Marnikollaj is not positive. The deceased’s family lawyers, who died in the premises of a police statio... - 31/08/2018in Announcements, Vulnerable Groups - Press Statement and Notice
AHC Statement – Attack on Klodiana Lala
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) strongly condemns the armed assault on the residence of known journalist Klodiana Lala and her family members. AHC considers this not only a bandit-like act, but also a cowardly one that seeks to exert pressure and intimidate free speech. Journalist Klodiana Lala has carried out her mission as a professional... DIRECTORY FOR THE SECURITY OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION OPENS THE WAY TO TRANSPARENCY OVER DATA REQUESTED ON THE INTEGRITY OF SUBJECTS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE VETTING PROCESS
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) has monitored and continues to monitor the implementation of reform in the justice system and particularly the vetting process. In this regard, AHC has devoted special significance to transparency and the enforcement of access to information. On Feberuary 5, 2018, the Commissioner on the Right to Information an...-
Press Statement – Grave condition of persons with mental health problems in the prison system
In recent days, the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) carried out two monitoring missions in the Prison Hospital (SIPS – Special Institution for Prisoner Services), Tirana and the Zaharia Prison, Kruja. The purpose of the monitoring missions was to observe on site respect for the rights of persons with mental health problems, placed in these instit... - 22/06/2018in 0 - News, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
Report on the situation of respect for human rights and freedoms in Albania
CLICK ON THE REPORT TO READ MORE... - 01/06/2018in Announcements
TËRKUZA CASE / “Air and water pollution,” the environmental massacre on Kamza
The Tërkuza case is not unknown to the public and even more so as a daily disturbing case for the inhabitants of the area. For 17 years in Kamza, there is an environmental massacre taking place in the Tërkuza river, where urban waste is being dumped near the river flow, AlpeNews.al writes exclusively. 11 kilometers... - 21/05/2018in Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
THE DEATH OF CITIZEN ENEA FTOI REQUIRES A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION
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... - 10/05/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Legal Clinic - Press Statement & Notice
Another positive model of protection against discrimination thanks to the legal intervention of the Albanian Helsinki Committee
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 probl... - 10/05/2018in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
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 hav... - 09/05/2018in 0 - News, Announcements
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 th... - 30/04/2018in 0 - News, Judiciary - Press Statement & Notice
REPORT – VETTING UNDER THE OBSERVATION OF THE ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE
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. Sup... - 25/04/2018in 0 - News, Announcements, Judiciary - Press Statement & Notice
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 Ma... - 17/04/2018in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases, Press Statement, Notice
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... - 13/04/2018in 0 - News, Declarations & Press Releases
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...
RECENT POSTS
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PRESS RELEASE-ON THE MONITORING REPORTS ON THE GOVERNING BODIES OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
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Joint Statement — On The Preliminary Findings And Conclusions Of The Monitoring Of The Parliamentary Elections Of May 11, 2025
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