Elbasan, May 10, 2023
High Inspector of Justice, Mr. Artur Metani participated in the roundtable discussion on “Challenges of Albanian justice from the Canon of Zhuri to the justice reform, within the framework of integration processes, chapter 23, Judiciary and fundamental rights”, organized by “Aleksandër Xhuvani” University of Elbasan in cooperation with the Prosecution Office attached to the District Court, on the National Day of Justice.
In his speech, “Independence of the judiciary and challenges in relation to this independence” Mr. Metani, focusing on the justice reform, singled out, among other things, the importance of conveying to citizens the principle of the separation and balancing of powers. “Based on the principle of separation and balancing of powers, the justice reform needs to convey to the citizens, to the society, the importance of implementing this principle. Not as a way out to avoid responsibilities, but as the only standard that guarantees the future of the justice system independence. I am aware of the citizens rightful expectations, of their frustration of waiting for their court cases which have dragged on for 30 years now. Perhaps even society finds it almost impossible to cope with the situation of the justice system today. But, I am convinced that the only way to have an efficient justice system tomorrow is to provide solutions today which are totally detached from the interest of the moment or the politics. The independence of judges and prosecutors is not a principle to protect the violations of law they may commit, or a pretext to avoid their legal responsibility. Not at all! However, if a judge or prosecutor is held accountable today, because society does not agree with his decision making, or because society does not orientate itself towards institutions which are established by the Constitution and the law specifically to handle complaints against the judicial system, or even worse , because other powers want to take advantage of the legal impossibility of the public reaction of judges and prosecutors, then there is no reform that will succeed, but only a prolonged agony, in our development efforts.”
The rector of the University of Tirana, Prof. Dr. Artan Hoxha held a speech on “The reform in Justice, as a need to increase the public’s trust in it.”
Chairman of the High Prosecutorial Council, Mr. Alfred Balla spoke on the topic “The prosecution system today and the challenges within the integration process”.
“Challenges of Justice Reform in Albania” were addressed by Prof. Assoc. Dr. Rezarta Tahiraj, Head of the Center for Law and Economy.
Head of the “Jean Monnet” Chair, EEAABAC, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Arbër Gjeta brought to the attendees “The latest developments in the framework of the negotiations regarding chapter 23”.
The roundtable was greeted by the rector of “Aleksandër Xhuvani” University Prof. Dr. Skender Topi and Mr. Kreshnik Ajazi from the Prosecution Office attached to the District Court, as co-organizer of the activity, as well as from the dean of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Elbasan, Prof. Assoc. Dr. Imelda Sejdini, the president of the Elbasan Court, Mrs. Matilda Fetau and the director of the Elbasan district police, Mr. Ilir Poda.
Students, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, lecturers, etc. who attended this event, discussed the topics covered in it.
