High Inspector of Justice Mr. Artur Metani, accompanied by the members of the HIJ team, conducted a dialogue table with the representatives of civil society organizations, operating in the municipality of Lushnja.
This is the second table being organized under the care of the OSCE Presence in Albania, as part of the communication strategy of the HIJ Office, to make a presentation of the role and functions of the HIJ Office to various interest groups where they live and work, even outside the capital.
In his welcoming speech, the High Inspector of Justice said that this direct communication with the interest groups on the way they see the role, experiences or even expectations from the justice system, helps the HIJ itself to improve its performance, transparency and of course, to strengthen the public’s trust in the justice system.
After presenting the functions of the HIJ, as an institution responsible for the verification of complaints, the investigation of disciplinary violations and the initiation of the disciplinary proceedings against judges and prosecutors of all levels in the country, Mr. Metani and his team answered the questions of the attendees about the institution working methods on the complaint system and disciplinary proceedings, but also the challenges of the justice system to gain the citizen’s trust.
Mr. Metani focused on the HIJ work to find the right balance between the public interest in the administration of justice and the independence of magistrates. “The High Inspector of Justice, through his own activity, works hard to gain the trust of magistrates as well as the public trust. It is very important for magistrates to understand that the process of complaint, investigation or even disciplinary proceedings promote the accountability as well as the establishment and guarantee of the best standards of justice, which are not only a legal obligation but also in relation to the public expectations, they serve the system in the long run, not just to solve “today’s problem”, said Mr. Metani.
Representatives of the OSCE Presence, Mr. Cailean Maclean and Ms. Luljeta Krasniqi assessed the efficiency of the HIJ open communication with the civil society, supported by the Presence.
“The OSCE goal, in supporting the justice reform, is not only to review the legislation and organize trainings, but it is also to support and strengthen the process of approaching the justice system to the public in order to increase the trust of everyone in the judiciary. There is no other institution more appropriate to do this than the High Inspector of Justice. This is the institution that ensures a reliable, competent and responsible justice system for all Albanians”, said Mr. Cailean Maclean, Head of the Rule of Law and Human Rights Section.
The discussion with civil society organizations even outside Tirana, is part of the communication strategy, which the High Inspector of Justice has started with the law students in different universities of the country.
