OSCE Presence in Albania presents findings and recommendations to improve civil trials

TIRANA, 27 March 2013 - The OSCE Presence in Albania, together with Justice Minister Eduard Halimi and the Deputy Chair of the High Council of Justice, Elvis Çefa, presented a report on the Albanian civil justice system today.

The report, which is based on observations made in more than 140 court hearings in four district courts, assessed the Albanian civil justice system for compliance with international fair trial standards and also provides recommended measures to further increase the efficiency, fairness, transparency and accessibility of the justice system.

“There have been real advances in the functioning of the Albanian judiciary over the last two decades. As our report shows, there is still room for improvement so that the judiciary fully meets international standards. This report should form the basis for further discussions on justice reform, including legislative and practical amendments to civil proceedings,” said the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, at the launch event.

He also welcomed encouragement and active support of the Justice Ministry, the High Council of Justice, the judges and court staff for the report, adding that the OSCE Presence looks forward to continued close collaboration on the issues raised.

Over the coming weeks, the Presence will engage with a wide range of justice professionals, international partners and civil society organizations active in the area of justice reform, in order to turn the general recommendations identified in the report into more specific suggestions for legislative and practice amendments.