New York, May 9th, 2024
During his working visit to the USA, and on the National Day of Justice, High Inspector of Justice, Mr. Artur Metani met with Albanian lawyers and professionals in New York, a meeting organized by “The Albanian Professionals and Entrepreneurs Network – APEN”.
The meeting was led by the first Albanian judge elected in New York, Ms. Edit Shkreli, judge of the Bronx Civil Court; during the conversation with her Mr. Metani focused on changes made in Albania within the framework of the justice reform and its new institutions, one of which is the High Inspector of Justice. After presenting the role and functions of the institution he heads, Mr. Metani responded to the interest on various aspects of the rule of law and institutions in Albania.
Speaking about the changes and expectations for the justice system, Mr. Metani focused on the role of the institutions, but also the society, in relation to justice and the rule of law.
“We need a society that develops and progresses based on the concepts of democracy and the rule of law, because justice can be administered not only by its institutions, but also by the whole society, through information, ethical behavior and respect for human rights. Nowadays, justice system has been and continues to be, one of the hottest topics of public debate in Albania. Justice is a topic of public interest. Today, we must increase our efforts to raise the level of the legal culture of our society. The access of Albanian citizens to legal knowledge is fundamental to guarantee an effective justice system. Thus, informing and providing knowledge about the law, about rights, law-enforcement institutions, responsibilities and so on, are not only related to legal education, but they are also the components of culture and the civic need for the approach to the rule of law.
At the same time, Albanian citizens should be given the opportunity to orient themselves within the broad legal spectrum, recognizing their rights and obligations. To understand the role and functions of institutions and justice delivery mechanisms, as well as the concept of citizenship in the rule of law. Albanian citizens can organize themselves and cooperate to supervise the activity of the justice system bodies, as well as exert pressure with democratic means on these bodies in order to foster progress in issues of public interest.
We must work to change the mentality of the actors of justice system, which must be based on a complete understanding of the rule of law. It is important that Albanian society embraces the spirit and rules of a general culture of the rule of law. Without a deep legal culture, the justice system turns into a superficial formal system without values. An independent justice system with integrity, transparency and efficiency will only be guaranteed if the rule of law is adopted by all of us, by the magistrates, by legal professionals, the political class, the media, civil society, as well as the Albanian citizens themselves”, said among other things, the High Inspector of Justice.
The meeting was also greeted by the permanent representative of Albania to the UN, Ambassador Suela Janina, who appreciated the role and work of the High Inspector of Justice in the system and in strengthening the rule of law.
During the conversation with legal professionals, Mr. Metani invited them to cooperate or work with the Office of the High Inspector of Justice. This event is part of the public communication concept of the High Inspector of Justice, through the organization of open forums and meetings with Albanian citizens, who represent a successful model from a social and professional point of view in the field of law, not only in Albania but even abroad. The purpose of these activities, through the presentation of their personal achievements, challenges encountered and successes achieved, is to introduce the contribution of these individuals as role models to be followed and why not invite them to give their personal contribution to the progress of the implementation of the Justice Reform in Albania.
