FLASH
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The US Department of State has released its 2024 Human Rights Report, which includes Albania. For our country, the report notes that there were no significant changes in the human rights situation during the year. According to the report, the government has taken credible action to identify and punish officials who have committed human rights violations.
But, in the section on arrests and detention, it is noted that the latter is applied in a prolonged manner and without charges. The report highlights that the Ombudsman, the Albanian Helsinki Committee and the Institute for Activism and Social Change have reported that the extension of the detention period remains an ongoing issue.
“The law and constitution prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention and provided for the right of every person to challenge the legality of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally respected these requirements. The law requires that most preliminary investigations be completed within three months, but the prosecutor has the right to extend this period. Detention should not last longer than three years. According to the Ministry of Interior and the General Directorate of Prisons (DPB), there were no reported cases of persons being held beyond the time limits provided by law.
The shortage of judges and prosecutors delayed criminal proceedings. Limited material resources, lack of space, poor management of the court calendar, insufficient staff, and the failure of lawyers and witnesses to appear also prevented the judicial system from adjudicating cases in a timely manner. According to the DPB, the judicial system’s vetting process exacerbated the situation and led to vacancies in courts and prosecutors’ offices,” the report states.
Regarding refugee protection, the DASH report states: The government cooperated with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian organizations in providing protection and assistance to refugees, returned refugees or asylum seekers, and other persons of concern. UNHCR, through its partner, the Albanian Refugee and Migrant Services, monitored personal interviews with asylum seekers during the refugee status determination process and supported their integration.
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