Judges, prosecutors, representatives from Independent Justice Institutions, the People’s Advocate’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, Prisons and Probations Directorates as well as civil society met to discuss current practices, cultural attitudes and challenges related to pre-trial detention and the application of alternative measures in Albania.

Participants acknowledged ongoing challenges within the pre-trial detention system but agreed that meaningful improvements can be achieved within the existing institutional framework. The President of the Supreme Court called for national courts to issue individualised, well-reasoned decisions, moving away from “stereotypical formulations”, in line with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Council of Europe experts shared good practices from other countries and highlighted the crucial role of judicial culture on limiting excessive pre-trial detention. They stressed the value of promoting effective alternatives such as electronic monitoring and bail.

The role of the media was also underscored, with participants agreeing that media coverage significantly shapes public perception and trust in the judiciary. They agreed on the need to engage constructively with the media to better inform the public and build confidence in the justice system.

Participants welcomed the open exchange on this important topic, emphasising its significance for both the Albanian justice system and the society at large.

The roundtable was organised by the Council of Europe project, Strengthening the capacities of the Albanian judiciary to better apply standards on the right to liberty and security, funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF), which brings together eight Council of Europe member states: Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom.