TIRANA, Jan. 12 – Albanian criminal appellate courts need further improvement to better comply with fair trial standards and the rule of law, according to a report published last week by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Albania.
“Despite continuing progress in the criminal justice system, procedural rules governing appellate proceedings are frequently not respected. Criminal appeals courts often fail properly and fully to explain their decisions and delays in the processing of criminal appellate cases are common. There is a need for further improvement if criminal appellate courts are to carry out their activities in compliance with fair trial standards and the rule of law,” said Maya Goldstein-Bolocan, Senior Judicial Officer of the OSCE Presence and author of the report.
“Given their importance in remedying potential miscarriages of justice and their ‘guiding’ function vis-ஶis lower courts, it is essential that appellate courts conduct their activities transparently and efficiently, and that the review they undertake be of a high quality.”
The report analyzes criminal appellate proceedings in Albania and offers recommendations for enhancing the justice system’s fairness, efficiency and accessibility. The report was as part of the Presence’s Fair Trial Development Project, and addresses issues such as pre-trial detention, procedural delays and transparency. It is being distributed among judges and prosecutors, as well as to advocacy chambers, state institutions, foreign and international bodies and civil society.
The OSCE Presence published the Analysis of Criminal Appellate Proceedings in Albania to be a useful tool for justice authorities and for all Albanian and international participants in their continued efforts to improve the judicial system in the country.
The Presence remains ready to assist the Albanian authorities in their efforts to improve the country’s justice system.
