OSCE Presence, Albanian People's Advocate launch project to support detainees' right to file complaints

TIRANA, 18 November 2008 - The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Office of the People's Advocate launched a project today to install sealed mailboxes in every detention site in the country, enabling detainees to file complaints about perceived violations of their rights.

"The overall goal of the project is to protect the human rights of people in detention," said Ambassador Robert Bosch, the Head of the OSCE Presence. "I encourage the Albanian authorities to take an active interest in the issue of prison reform and the rights of detainees in particular, by taking all the necessary steps to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into Albanian society."

The People's Advocate is required by law to guarantee protection mechanisms for detainees, as provided by the United Nations Convention against Torture. The mailboxes will be opened only by the Office of the People's Advocate, which will then take appropriate action.

The project was launched at the Vaqarr detention centre, with the participation of Ambassador Bosch, Justice Minister Enkelejd Alibeaj and the People's Advocate Emir Dobjani.