The Albanian School of Magistrates organized today a high conference on “Challenges of Implementing European Standards of Freedom of Expression in the Albanian Context”, involving senior representatives from the judiciary, parliament, executive branches, media, civil society and international organisations. The panel containing international and local experts as well as representatives from the media ensured for a lively discussion on the role of the judge in guaranteeing Freedom of Expression, the transparency of the judicial system in Albania and its public and media access, as well as challenges in practice of following the Code of Ethics by journalists.

A follow up graduation ceremony of the new generation of magistrates was addressed inter alia by the chairs of the Supreme and Constitutional Court, the Head a.i. of the Council of Europe Office in Albania, the European Union Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, the Ministers of Justice of Albania and Austria as well as other senior representatives of the international community and partners of the School of Magistrates.

The event was made possible thanks to a grant under the joint EU/CoE "Strengthening Judicial Expertise on Freedom of Expression and Media in South East Europe (JUFREX)".

This event was implemented with the financial assistance of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.