Justice & Home Affairs

Project description   Objective: Provision of support to align the Albanian justice system with the EU acquis and best international practices with the aim to increase the professional quality of judges and prosecutors, reduce the impact of organised crime, politics and corruption in the delivery of justice, and to enhance the integrity and accountability of judiciary institutions.  Results: The vetting organs or “re-evaluation institutions” (as referred to in the respective law) in Albania are set up and the re-evaluation process in the following three main evaluation areas in order to ensure honest and impartial performance are monitored: Full asset audit procedure carried out by the High Inspectorate for the Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of Interest (HIDAACI) for the re-evaluation institutions based on declarations of assets and comparative information collected from various sources. Duly performed background assessment carried out by the national security authority for the re-evaluation institutions based on declaration forms and upon the most accurate evidence, information and intelligence available. Sound proficiency assessment on the basis of self-evaluations as well as proficiency assessment reviews carried out by the relevant proficiency assessment body for the re-evaluation institutions.

Objective: The overall objective is to strengthen the independence, transparency, efficiency, accountability and public trust in the Albanian justice system in line with the EU acquis and best practices. Results: A justice system strategy with a concrete action plan for the period 2014 – 2017 and with a view to guaranteeing independence, transparency and efficiency is in place Professionalism and accountability of the services of the MoJ and subordinate authorities are enhanced Access to courts is open to anyone, i.e. there are no barriers for example for indigent people and/or members of minorities Transparency of judicial proceedings is enhanced, i.e. the general public has better information about court activities, enhancing their trust Decisions taken by the High Council of Justice regarding the status of judges (i.e. appointment, promotion and disciplinary measures) are taken on objective and transparent criteria in line with EU standards Independence, efficiency and effectiveness of the High Court have been improved ensuring that the court can fulfill its constitutional task to provide guidance to all other Albanian courts by unifying the judicial practice Issues pertaining to judicial cooperation among stakeholders of the Albanian justice system and international partners are managed in a more coherent manner