Strengthening the capacities of the Albanian judiciary to better apply standards on the right to liberty and security
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the protection of the right to liberty and security, by promoting alternative measures to detention and reducing the use of pre-trial detention, in line with European and international standards.
Specific objectives:
- To assist the authorities and the judiciary in improving the legal framework and judicial practice through, inter alia, analyses and targeted recommendations.
- To enhance the knowledge and capacities of judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals in the proper application of standards and legal reasoning related to the use of pre-trial detention.
- To promote alternatives to pre-trial detention to reduce overcrowding in detention centres.
- To raise the awareness of law students and future legal professionals on the international and European standards related to the right to liberty and security.
Ministry of Justice; Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Courts of General and Special Jurisdiction; Prosecution Offices of General and Special Jurisdiction; High Judicial Council; High Prosecutorial Council; School of Magistrates; State Advocate; People’s Advocate; Albanian; Bar Association; Faculty of Law; Civil Society Organisations.
Progress towards aligning legislation and judicial practice with European and international standards.
Enhanced training tools and methodology on the use of pre-trial detention.
Strengthened capacity of judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals to apply the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in their decisions.
Increased awareness of future legal professionals and law students on human rights standards and the importance of applying alternatives to detention.
Support for the execution of key judgments of the ECtHR related to the right to liberty and security, with a focus on pre-trial detention.
Key Activities
- Assessment of legislation and judicial practice, identifying gaps and providing recommendations for improvement.
- Working/focus group meetings with judges, prosecutors, authorities and other stakeholders to foster dialogue and support legal reform efforts.
- Development/translation of training tools and other materials on the right to liberty and security, pe-trial detention, and legal reasoning
- Training of trainers and cascade training for judges and prosecutors on applying the ECtHR standards and considering alternatives to detention.
- Awareness-raising activities for future legal professionals and law students on European and international standards related to pre-trial detention, with a focus on the case-law of the ECtHR.
- Study visit, summer school, peer-to peer sessions and other events to foster dialogue and exchange promising practices.
Project Information
- Duration: 24 months (1 June 2025 – 31 May 2027)
- Country: Albania
- Budget: 600 000 EUR
- Funding: Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF) *
* The Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF) brings together Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
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