Rule of law

Legislative and judicial reform, as well as the strengthening of the rule of law are at the core of the Presence’s activities to foster the advancement of the rule of law in Albania, in line with international standards and OSCE commitments. The Presence supports the implementation of the on-going justice reform through a three-pronged approach: 1) support the institutional framework of key justice sector institutions to achieve a more efficient, effective and transparent delivery of justice, and better safeguarding of fundamental rights; 2) promote collaborative approaches between justice professionals to ensure more effective justice, and 3) support inclusive and quality based law-making as well as legislative practices. The Presence also works to develop research capacities of professionals, academics and policy-makers in the field of criminology while promoting an increased involvement of communities in crime prevention and rehabilitation of offenders.

On legislative reform, the Presence monitors regularly the legislative and regulatory process in Albania in order to assess the performance and needs of the law-making authorities in adopting draft legislation, strategies, action plans or standard procedures in accordance with the applicable domestic legal framework and international standards. In addition, the Presence reviews and provides comments to the drafts from a perspective of rule of law and law drafting techniques.

With the aim of strengthening mechanisms for supporting an increased knowledge of criminal justice professionals in line with human rights standards, the Presence supports a multi-disciplinary approach in crime prevention, with a focus on identifying drivers, patterns and dynamics, by establishing a Master’s Programme on Criminology in Albania.

Rule of law activities are organized in partnership with numerous local institutions, including the Ministry of Justice, the Constitutional Court, High Judicial Council, High Prosecutorial Council, High Inspectorate of Justice, School of Magistrates, State Advocacy, Courts, District Prosecution Offices, Judicial Police, Special Prosecutor’s Office for Fight against Organized Crime and Corruption, General Prosecution Office, General Directorate of Prisons, Probation Directorate and University of Tirana.

Moreover, the Presence co-operates closely with the OSCE/ODIHR, and OSCE field operations in the region as well as with international partners in Albania.