HCJ says justice reform is indispensable in country’s integration road

TIRANA, Dec. 17 – The High Council of Justice, in collaboration with President Bamir Topi who leads it, began to organize an open debate on reforming Albania’s judiciary last week.
The first meeting was attended by the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, the heads of the most important institutions in the field of justice, judiciary and prosecution, members of the Legal Issues Committee, technicians from the opposition, deputies of the majority and opposition, as well as other guests. Topi stressed the importance of the reforms, the convergence of all political parties to reach a consensus, as well as the inclusion into them of all participants, especially judges, prosecutors and lawyers, becoming not only active part of this crucial debate, but also by offering their expertise. The attitudes and conclusion of judges and prosecutors will be presented to the Assembly, hoping to reach a consensus among political parties. The HCJ Deputy Chairman, Kreshnik Spahiu, presented the themes on which the debates on the reforms and the future of the Albanian justice system have to be focused.
The HCJ is going to launch such meetings all over Albania to support the reforms in the judiciary. This project, conceived as a juridical campaign, seeks to make, for the first time, the legal and constitutional changes within the justice system, the judges and prosecutors, as well as international partners. The HCJ intends to organize and guarantee all the juridical debates with all groups of interest as the only mean to assure the legal changes include stable and durable reforms.
This is the first time experience and a model of transparency is being used in involving the public in the reforms issues. The HCJ strategy is going to be implemented through an active plan outside its offices.
Topi emphasized his commitment to influencing the continuing debate in order that the reform does not remain just words, but is followed with concrete results that will serve as a foundation for a broad consensus throughout society, rather than only a political consensus.