Thank you, Mr. Xhafaj, for the floor,
The Assembly of Albania has addressed 8 recommendations for the year 2025, which relate to strengthening the effectiveness of inspections, monitoring the implementation of recommendations, interinstitutional cooperation, the digitalization of processes, the analysis of citizens’ complaints, public communication, and the public assessment of the impact of inspection activities. In the assessment of the High Inspector of Justice, all 8 recommendations have been implemented. I had prepared something more general, but since those that were considered not to be implemented were addressed specifically, I would also like to address them specifically.
Recommendation 1. Drafting a periodic reporting format for the implementation of inspection recommendations, with measurable indicators.
It has been fully fulfilled according to the HIJ, because it has approved the relevant order containing rules and procedures for reporting on the implementation of recommendations with quantitative and qualitative indicators, with the aim of guaranteeing the effectiveness of inspections.
Recommendation 2. Including follow-up inspections as part of the annual inspection planning and providing the corresponding resources for their implementation.
This has also been fulfilled according both to the rapporteur and to the HIJ.
Recommendation 3. Initiating an interinstitutional cooperation protocol with the High Judicial Council, the High Prosecutorial Council, and the Prosecutor General Office, in order to enable access to the electronic systems of the courts and prosecution offices.
In implementation of this recommendation, HIJ has continued its regular cooperation with both Councils and the Prosecutor General Office by providing data, clarifications, as well as representation in the working groups for the development of the new information systems. Within the framework of the EU4Digital Justice (EU4DJ) project, meetings have been held with UNOPS and the Prosecutor General Office to identify HIJ’s needs regarding inspectors’ access to the new case management system. HIJ has been proactive, both in submitting requests for data and in participating in discussions on the technical solutions for access to the system. Upon the invitation of the High Judicial Council, representatives of the HIJ have participated in all technical meetings to determine the institution’s needs for access to the court and prosecution office systems. Currently, the development of the electronic system or electronic systems is still in progress and the final technical architecture has not yet been consolidated. In this context, drafting a formal protocol would not have any added effect, as the HIJ’s engagement has been ensured both in presenting its needs and, at the same time, the HIJ’s access to the existing court systems, ARKID and ICMIS, where all inspectors and assistant inspectors have full access in accordance with the legal provisions, ensuring compliance with the principles of legality, transparency, and information security.
Recommendation 4. To conduct consultations with the Chamber of Advocacy, with the aim of identifying issues within the justice system and addressing them through thematic inspections.
For the implementation of this recommendation, HIJ addressed the Chamber of Advocacy through letter no. 3286 prot., dated 14.11.2025, requesting proposals for inspection topics for the year 2026, in accordance with the practice followed with the other institutions of the justice system. Up to the time of reporting, no response has been received and no proposals or specific issues have been submitted by this institution. Under these circumstances, as far as the HIJ is concerned, the recommendation is considered implemented, not only for this reason, but also because, on an ongoing basis, all complaints submitted by citizens represented by lawyers have been addressed by the High Inspector of Justice, not only individually, but also in the drafting of the topics for institutional or specific thematic inspections. Furthermore, whenever there have been institutional referrals to the HIJ, such as those from the Chamber of Advocacy of Shkodër or the Chamber of Advocacy of Sarandë, HIJ has responded with concrete measures. In the case of the requests from the Chamber of Advocacy of Shkodër, the magistrate against whom a complaint had previously been filed was subjected to disciplinary proceedings, while in the case of Saranda, the requests submitted by the Chamber of Advocacy of Sarandë were subjected to a thematic inspection, which is still ongoing. Therefore, on this point, I believe that the relationship between the HIJ and the National Chamber of Advocacy has been entirely correct, institutional, and in full respect of the constitutional dignity of the institution.
Recommendation 5. Taking measures for the establishment of a case management system for the HIJ, with the aim of digitalizing the processes of complaint review, verification, and investigation, in order to improve efficiency, reduce delays, and facilitate the real-time tracking of complaints.
Considered Implemented, also according to the rapporteur.
Recommendation 6. Preparing periodic analytical reports on the subjects of citizens’ complaints, with the aim of identifying the main trends of the issues.
The Thematic Inspection Plan for the year 2025, approved by the General Meeting of Inspectors, reflects the phenomena identified during the review of complaints submitted by citizens, legal entities, and the institutions provided for in Article 194, paragraph 2 of Law No. 115/2016, where the principal place is occupied by allegations relating to the protraction of court proceedings and delays in the reasoning of decisions by magistrates. For the purpose of formalizing this process and in implementation of the Assembly’s recommendation, Order No. 148, dated 31.12.2025, has been approved, which determines the data that the analytical reports on the subjects of complaints must contain, as well as the frequency of their preparation. Therefore, the recommendation has been implemented.
Recommendation 7. Expanding and strengthening institutional communication and awareness-raising activities through thematic campaigns and educational content tailored to the general public, aiming to increase awareness of citizens’ rights and the role of the HIJ, improve citizen-institution interaction, and increase trust in accountability mechanisms within the justice system.
Within the framework of this recommendation, the Legal Education, Public Information and Awareness Program for Citizens for the period 2026–2027 has been drafted, which incorporates the obligations arising from the Resolution of the Assembly of Albania and was approved in January 2026, extending over a three-year period.
Following the adoption of the 2025 Resolution, several key activities have been carried out, including the organization by the High Inspector of Justice of an event on disciplinary inspection in Albania and the presentation of the publication “General History of the Disciplinary Process.” In addition, meetings have been held with high school students in Tirana and with participants of the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN) on the module “The Rule of Law.” Meetings have also been held in nine-year schools in Përmet. On an ongoing basis, the HIJ’s meetings with the public or with organized groups of society, such as schools outside Tirana, have been intensive. For us, the recommendation has been implemented. Not to mention the institution’s official website, which is full of information and is one of the most transparent websites with regard to the activity and work of the HIJ.
Recommendation 8. To prepare, by December 2025, the analysis, which the rapporteur also agreed has been implemented.
With regard to the recommendations proposed for 2026, naturally, we did not even have time to review them. I have seen, or rather the General Meeting of Inspectors has seen, the recommendations proposed by the Committee on Legal Affairs, with which we agreed. As for the proposals coming from this Committee, we need to review them once again in the General Meeting of Inspectors and, of course, respond to you in writing, and promptly.
Two or three things that I managed to note down—one of them is a timetable for the recruitment of inspectors. Now, I understand that, undoubtedly, the issue of inspectors is a fundamental issue, because without inspectors it is not possible to implement the other 15 recommendations either, but the point is that, as far as the HIJ is concerned, we have taken every measure to ensure that the competition procedures for inspectors, both magistrate inspectors and non-magistrate inspectors, are conducted within short timeframes. The Councils announce vacancies almost, perhaps, twice a year for judges and prosecutors, and there are no applications. At this point, what kind of timetable could I propose, for example?
Another thing I noted was improving the quality of responses so that they are not formal and that citizens receive a response to every allegation. I do not know why this concern has been raised, because this concern has not come to the HIJ. I would have liked something more concrete, because one of the things that our international partners actually criticize when they monitor our work is that the responses and disciplinary investigations are lengthy. So, perhaps these are the kinds of things that we also need to examine carefully. That is why I am saying that I need to discuss the recommendations you have proposed with the inspectors in their General Meeting, in accordance with what you, of course, believe should be done as for what can undoubtedly be accomplished within the six months remaining until the end of the year, naturally within the scope of our competencies and the issues that we encounter every day.
That is all I had to say on these two documents, Mr. Chairman.
