Albania towards the EU integration, Albanian government, AIS founder, Aranita Brahaj, talks about corruption and justice
The serious German newspaper Die Welt published this September an article entitled: Corruption, justice and issues with press freedom – is Albania ready for the EU? The article carefully analyses some geopolitical aspects and challenges of Albania’s negotiation process in its path towards the EU. The journalist Mandoline Rutkowski visited also our office in Tirana, using our findings on issues such as Corruption, Rule of Law, and the Justice Reform as part of the facts and issues listed in the article. Aranita Brahaj, Director and Founder of AIS, stated that “The country is run by a Prime Minister and a Government, which no one controls. There is no Judicial, Constitutional, or Parliamentary oversight. In the meantime, while the Vetting process in the Justice system was characterized by good intentions, it was poorly planned and executed, leaving the country without a judiciary and judicial control for years.
You can read the full article below:
From Mandoline Rutkowski, Die Welt
The heads of the governments of Albania and North Macedonia shook hands with Ursula von der Leyen, squeezing her hand tightly as if they were afraid that the President of the European Commission could change her mind half way. And in doing so, she could also give up on a promise that the European Union had previously made to statesmen Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski.
This is what was seen on TV on July 19th. It is the day the negotiations the two countries’ EU membership started officially. With this announcement, the two countries are now officially at the forefront of the Western Balkan countries in the EU enlargement process.
Pictures of unity were quite timely for Brussels, as the war in Ukraine at Europe’s doorstep has given the Western Alliance a moment of rebirth. There is consensus that the West must come closer to confront the Russian aggressor, Vladimir Putin. The latter is the very same reason that Ukraine and Moldova were given the candidate status for EU membership in June.
The Western Balkans is also strategically important for the EU, as it forms the land bridge between NATO’s south-eastern side and Central Europe. However, it is becoming clear that, regardless of the current moment, there are still a number of challenges standing in the way of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. This is obvious in Albania.
Albania celebrated a historic moment after almost three decades. In 2003, Tirana submitted its application for membership. In the days after the announcement, a huge EU flag decorated the government building in Tirana’s ‘Skënderbej’ square.
Affinity with the EU is very high in the country of 2.8 million inhabitants. According to the Public Barometer for the Balkans, 89% of the Albanian people assess the EU membership as positive. Conversing with the locals, the proximity to the EU is apparent. European shops cover the city landscape in Tirana, and the euro is, at least unofficially, the second national currency.
Keeping distance from China
Tirana’s relationship with the EU is close. For years, the country, which was freed from communism in 1991 and dedicated to Western and democratic values, has tried to align itself with Brussels on foreign policy.
In the war in Ukraine, Tirana unconditionally supported EU sanctions against Russia. In contrast to other countries of the Western Balkans, Tirana is holding back on investments from China, with which Beijing seeks to strengthen its influence in the region.
In recent years, a reform in the justice system and the introduction of the so-called Special Structure against Corruption (SPAK), as a special independent prosecutor, has advanced its efforts in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.
“We have made extraordinary progress in the field of the rule of law and in the fight against corruption,” said Christiane Hohmann, the ambassador of the EU delegation in Albania. She welcomes us to her office with a panoramic view of the capital for an interview. “But our work is far from over; there is still huge work ahead.”
In fact, corruption is a deep wound in Albania, which is very difficult to heal. The country ranks 110th out of 180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Aranita Brahaj, the Head of the AIS/Open Data Albania, knows how serious the problem is.
“Corruption is an extraordinary problem in Albania” – says the data analysis expert, whose work focuses on transparency, accountability and anti-corruption. “It is not only present in the high ranks, but also in the daily life of every citizen, be it with being seen by a doctor or choosing your kid’s primary school”.
Albania is not able to exercise judicial, constitutional and parliamentary control over the government, says Brahaj. So, de facto, Prime Minister Rama can freely do anything he wants.
The list of scandals surrounding Rama confirms this statement. The head of the Socialist Party, who once campaigned for the fight against corruption, is accused of ties to the mafia.
Scandals are also multiplying in his orbit of power. Recently, SP politician Alqi Bllako was arrested at the end of April, after he was suspected of being involved in a corruption scandal involving 430 million Euros. The opposition accuses Rama of being the head of criminal activities.
Meanwhile, the government has made efforts to control corruption in the country. In 2016, encouraged by the EU, it adopted a judicial reform that included an intensive reassessment of all judges and prosecutors in terms of professional competence, wealth, and integrity.
Based on the data from the “2021 Report on Albania” of the EU Commission, 62% of the reassessment procedures have ended with resignation or dismissal. The reform was welcomed in Brussels and EU ambassador Hohmann also referred to the vetting procedure as a “successful measure”, which has never been seen before in the region.
But corruption expert Brahaj disagrees. The vetting processes were ‘well-intentioned, but poorly planned’. The Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court were not fully staffed for years and were de facto unable to function. A flawed judiciary has allowed the government to pass ‘corrupt laws’.
Way behind when it comes to freedom of press
An area that Brussels is scrutinizing closely for the progress of the EU membership process, and which worries the EU ambassador, Hohmann, is the freedom of the press in the country: “The understanding that the press is a corrective agent needs to be developed in Albania”. The country is ranked 103rd out of 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders.
The broadcast media is largely in the hands of a few wealthy entrepreneurs with political connections. Prime Minister Rama caused a stir recently after he threatened journalists with ‘re-education’ after critical questions and excluded them from press conferences. “We expect all politicians to treat journalists with respect,” says Hohmann.
The candidate country still has a long way to go before Albania joins the European alliance. For Sokol Dedja, the Head of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, efforts are needed not only from Tirana. “In view of the war in Europe and the granting of candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, the EU must now show more credibility than the promises made to the candidate countries, to show that EU enlargement is a serious process.”
In other words, the EU must prove to Russia that the unity of European countries goes beyond terminology, even as a sign of restraint. According to him, the countries of the Western Balkans have made it their priority joining the alliance because they are “more advanced in preparation”. On the other hand, EU ambassador Hohmann emphasizes that the war in Ukraine will not result in the automatic enlargement of the EU. “Each country will continue to be considered individually. The geostrategic argument should not hide the fact that the countries must of course also meet their respective requirements to enter the EU”. According to Hohmann, Tirana must now prove that the trust of the member countries is justified. “Albania is now facing a marathon”.
Download the full article HERE
StartUp Datathon Albania, Data Marathon by AIS, promoter of Open Data
/in Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminAIS returns to its tradition of Datathon and Hackathon Albania. This November we started working with a group of young people for the DataThon that will be held in January 2023. DataThon comes from the words Data and Marathon. They are events where people meet to work together on an idea and to collect, analyze, visualize and communicate findings related to data.
AIS has previously held DataThon and HackaThon in Tirana. This time DataThon is an event that will engage young members from the OpenDataFellowship Network. This Youth Network was created to increase the capacities and skills of young people in anti-corruption issues. The issue to be addressed this time is the finance of political parties, their volume, structure, and visualized forms of research. For more information on DataThon Albania 2023, a publication will be prepared on AIS website.
Treasury transactions, 10 years of open data for each expenditure, 1900 budgetary institutions
/in Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminHow does the Government Spend the Taxpayers’ Money? Our well-structured Treasury Transactions database enables the monitoring of all payments that state institutions make to third parties. Currently, we have data on each payment made in 10 years. The data is obtained through the access to information from the Treasury Department. They are placed in a system where anyone can easily find, use and reuse them in real time.
The system also offers a search engine through filters, where transactions are divided by institution, beneficiaries, value, expenditure category, payment date or invoice number. This database discloses to the public information about how taxpayers’ money is spent; where the funds are allocated; who benefits and how much is paid for certain projects and programs.
Open Data and Gender Reports, Social-economic Data on Gender Balance
/in Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminThe Open Data Albania portal continuously publishes data related to Gender Balance Statistics in the country. Articles are listed under the Gender Relations topic. The latest data published are related to the gender balance in sectors and fields such as Demography, Education, Public Representation and Penal Policy by gender groups.
The data assist in identifying ratios and development of gender groups, revealing also economic and social imbalances. The gender pay gap in different employment sectors, as well as the data on Penal Policy and Sentences imposed by courts on women compared to the total number of sentences imposed for crimes in the country – are two indicators carefully presented during November.
Request for cooperation. The need for monitoring the Misuse of Public Funds in the 2023 Electoral Campaign
/in Homeposts, Projects in Fundraising Process /by adminOn the eve of the May 14, 2023 Local Elections, our organization, Albania Institute of Science (AIS), would like to share some concerns about the risks that could prevent the conduction of fair and free election process.
Through our monitoring of public expenditure and fund data during electoral processes, the organization has identified cases of misuse of public funds for political party purposes. The upcoming electoral processes have the potential to be exposed to the same risk.
AIS, as a non-governmental organization has worked tirelessly to promote a civic movement that demands Accountability, promotion of Rule of Law and protection of Human Rights.
It was on these premises that during the last parliamentary the organization decided to take upon itself the monitoring of public expenditure and fund allocation, during the months preceding the elections.
Through our data monitoring, we were able to trace potential case of misuse of public funds to influence votes, which amounted to triple times more than the official fund allocated to the parties for election campaigns.
Furthermore, AIS recognized that it is vital to ensure real time media attention to the case, with the hope of generating publicity on the case to stop the abuse with public funds that could potentially compromise fair and free elections.
Based on our experience, we are of the opinion that the parties and electoral management institutions involved in the process, like the Commissioner, the Commission for Appeals and Sanctions (CAS), and even the Reformer do not have any consolidated previous work practices, or any concrete results of interventions in such cases through investigation, suspension of such activity, or records of any administrative sanctions.
AIS believes that because of its established experience in open data, especially data related to public expenditure, it is more adequate to conduct such monitoring and litigation.
Being willing to contribute by monitoring, identifying, or litigating for a regular electoral process, education and awareness for systemic change, the organization has prepared a Project Concept for Intervention.
This project concept is addressed to the Members of the Working Group for Elections in Albania and Potential Donors, seeking cooperation in the process of raising funds for the implementation of this useful Project for the 2023 Electoral Process.
The specific scope of this project is monitoring the Public Spending and Litigation for each case of Misused Public Funds during the next electoral process.
The Scope of Intervention is related with fields like Rule of Law; Free and Fair Election; Electoral Reform; Media Capacity Development; Civil Society Activism.
With the Project Concept Note attached, please consider this email as a request for cooperation in the process of raising funds for the implementation of its activities.
Looking forward to your cooperation, we are open to any questions, comments, reviews, and further communications.
Constitutional Control over Corrupt Laws, Vacancies of several years in the Constitutional Court bring Serious Consequences for the Prevention of Corruption by Law
/in Events, Homeposts /by adminThe AIS organization initiated a Lawsuit in September 2021 for the Constitutional Court requesting the Repeal as unconstitutional of a law that regulates Contracts for the Reconstruction Program after the Earthquake.
The lawsuit of the organization AIS/Open Data Albania sought the Partial Repeal of Law no. 97/2019 for the adoption of the normative Act with the power of Law no. 9 / 2019 of the Council of Ministers for Coping with the Consequences of Natural Disasters.
In our opinion, this Law is incompatible with the Constitution of the Republic of Albania as it violates economic freedoms; affects open competition; creates premises for corruption and clientelism in the distribution of Contracts to Preferential Clients.
Contracts for the Reconstruction Program (about 120 billion ALL) have been signed and continue to be signed by following procedures: a. limited procedures, b. procedures without a contest and c. procedures with discriminatory legal deadlines. procedures with criteria formulated by the Procuring Authority.
The Government and the Parliament have introduced this form of contracting by law.
In addition to the potential for clientelism, the contested Law also carries risks for contracts with Business Entities who are persons under investigation for Laundering the Proceeds of Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking.
Now the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office has already taken several decisions involving such Businesses as Parties to Public Contracts for Reconstruction.
Regardless of this, the Constitutional Court, which is responsible for checking and repealing the operation of Laws that violate economic freedom and create the premise for Favoritism and Corruption, has not been capable and functional regarding such activity.
The court hesitated and did not act upon a Lawsuit from an Anticorruption Organization. The lawsuit formulated by our organization that works for accountability, transparency and anti-corruption was not recognized as a legitimate lawsuit as the Case Reporting Judge argued that an organization can Request Constitutional Interpretation, but only in cases its members have a direct interest in the claim.
We think that failure of the Court to recognize the right of Organizations, whose mission and scope of work is Good Governance and Anti-Corruption represent a time of regress.
The Constitution recognizes Organizations as entities that have the right to request Constitutional Control, Article 134 point h of the Constitution. And the interest in a claim made to the court does not have to be an individual interest of the members of an organization, whose mission is directly relevant to that claim.
With the desire to stop the operation of a clientelistic law, the organization asked for the cooperation of other actors who are immediately legitimized as subjects that may put the Constitutional Control in motion.
Our request was answered by 28 opposition MPs who re-sent the Lawsuit to the Court in January 2022 . This time, the Court Accepted to Review the Lawsuit and Started reviewing the case facts in a Plenary Session in July 2022.
But in July 2022, the Constitutional Court functioned with a limited number of members, only 7 of its 9 members were in office. Delays in the filling vacancies has affected the efficiency of the Court.
Even with 4 out of 7 judges voting in favor of accepting the lawsuit, and 3 voting against, the lawsuit failed to repeal this law. It requires 5, and not 4 votes in favor, i.e. qualified and not simple majority, to accept the lawsuit.
After two attempts to activate the Constitutional Check, the fact is: The Law that gives Power to the Normative Act of the Government, continues to Remain in force and produce serious consequences of Corruption by Law.
Through this Law, some important contracts in value and public interest have been won by Businesses already subject to criminal investigation, seized by Court Decision for organized crime and drug trafficking.
This company managed to win several contracts with high monetary value for Reconstruction in the Main Areas for Compulsory Development after the Earthquake. This is a typical example of how the limited procedure, the lack of bidding competition and the final negotiation of the bid at the table and not through filling in the electronic system, have led to public contracts being awarded to individuals and businesses that aim to clean up Criminal Products through Public Contracting. In an open competition, a business that does not have Similar Construction Works would not be able to qualify as a Successful Competitor. The law preventing free competition enabled this clientelistic penetration.
The procedure without competition, limited, and with negotiation outside the electronic system is provided precisely by the law that had to be repealed. Only after the award of Public Contracts, the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Anticorruption SPAK acted by requesting seizure of the Businesses. But the fate of public contracts and the responsibility of those who created this situation where the state becomes a contractual partner with entities with criminal records, remain issues without regulation and without criminal investigation.
Corruption by law has been favored in recent years in the absence of the Constitutional Court, its Vacancies and Lack of Efficiency in Reviewing Cases.
As above, the Constitutional Court should exercise a role in controlling the compatibility of Laws with the Constitution. Setting the constitutional court in motion, its operation without vacancies, integrity, impartiality, improved doctrine regarding the constitutional control over Corrupt Laws are the main aspects of Preventing the Corruption Phenomenon by Law.
The German Newspaper Die Welt writes for Albania: Corruption, justice and issues with press freedom – is Albania ready for the EU?
/in Homeposts, Media Coverage @en /by adminAlbania towards the EU integration, Albanian government, AIS founder, Aranita Brahaj, talks about corruption and justice
The serious German newspaper Die Welt published this September an article entitled: Corruption, justice and issues with press freedom – is Albania ready for the EU? The article carefully analyses some geopolitical aspects and challenges of Albania’s negotiation process in its path towards the EU. The journalist Mandoline Rutkowski visited also our office in Tirana, using our findings on issues such as Corruption, Rule of Law, and the Justice Reform as part of the facts and issues listed in the article. Aranita Brahaj, Director and Founder of AIS, stated that “The country is run by a Prime Minister and a Government, which no one controls. There is no Judicial, Constitutional, or Parliamentary oversight. In the meantime, while the Vetting process in the Justice system was characterized by good intentions, it was poorly planned and executed, leaving the country without a judiciary and judicial control for years.
You can read the full article below:
From Mandoline Rutkowski, Die Welt
The heads of the governments of Albania and North Macedonia shook hands with Ursula von der Leyen, squeezing her hand tightly as if they were afraid that the President of the European Commission could change her mind half way. And in doing so, she could also give up on a promise that the European Union had previously made to statesmen Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski.
This is what was seen on TV on July 19th. It is the day the negotiations the two countries’ EU membership started officially. With this announcement, the two countries are now officially at the forefront of the Western Balkan countries in the EU enlargement process.
Pictures of unity were quite timely for Brussels, as the war in Ukraine at Europe’s doorstep has given the Western Alliance a moment of rebirth. There is consensus that the West must come closer to confront the Russian aggressor, Vladimir Putin. The latter is the very same reason that Ukraine and Moldova were given the candidate status for EU membership in June.
The Western Balkans is also strategically important for the EU, as it forms the land bridge between NATO’s south-eastern side and Central Europe. However, it is becoming clear that, regardless of the current moment, there are still a number of challenges standing in the way of EU enlargement in the Western Balkans. This is obvious in Albania.
Albania celebrated a historic moment after almost three decades. In 2003, Tirana submitted its application for membership. In the days after the announcement, a huge EU flag decorated the government building in Tirana’s ‘Skënderbej’ square.
Affinity with the EU is very high in the country of 2.8 million inhabitants. According to the Public Barometer for the Balkans, 89% of the Albanian people assess the EU membership as positive. Conversing with the locals, the proximity to the EU is apparent. European shops cover the city landscape in Tirana, and the euro is, at least unofficially, the second national currency.
Keeping distance from China
Tirana’s relationship with the EU is close. For years, the country, which was freed from communism in 1991 and dedicated to Western and democratic values, has tried to align itself with Brussels on foreign policy.
In the war in Ukraine, Tirana unconditionally supported EU sanctions against Russia. In contrast to other countries of the Western Balkans, Tirana is holding back on investments from China, with which Beijing seeks to strengthen its influence in the region.
In recent years, a reform in the justice system and the introduction of the so-called Special Structure against Corruption (SPAK), as a special independent prosecutor, has advanced its efforts in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.
“We have made extraordinary progress in the field of the rule of law and in the fight against corruption,” said Christiane Hohmann, the ambassador of the EU delegation in Albania. She welcomes us to her office with a panoramic view of the capital for an interview. “But our work is far from over; there is still huge work ahead.”
In fact, corruption is a deep wound in Albania, which is very difficult to heal. The country ranks 110th out of 180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. Aranita Brahaj, the Head of the AIS/Open Data Albania, knows how serious the problem is.
“Corruption is an extraordinary problem in Albania” – says the data analysis expert, whose work focuses on transparency, accountability and anti-corruption. “It is not only present in the high ranks, but also in the daily life of every citizen, be it with being seen by a doctor or choosing your kid’s primary school”.
Albania is not able to exercise judicial, constitutional and parliamentary control over the government, says Brahaj. So, de facto, Prime Minister Rama can freely do anything he wants.
The list of scandals surrounding Rama confirms this statement. The head of the Socialist Party, who once campaigned for the fight against corruption, is accused of ties to the mafia.
Scandals are also multiplying in his orbit of power. Recently, SP politician Alqi Bllako was arrested at the end of April, after he was suspected of being involved in a corruption scandal involving 430 million Euros. The opposition accuses Rama of being the head of criminal activities.
Meanwhile, the government has made efforts to control corruption in the country. In 2016, encouraged by the EU, it adopted a judicial reform that included an intensive reassessment of all judges and prosecutors in terms of professional competence, wealth, and integrity.
Based on the data from the “2021 Report on Albania” of the EU Commission, 62% of the reassessment procedures have ended with resignation or dismissal. The reform was welcomed in Brussels and EU ambassador Hohmann also referred to the vetting procedure as a “successful measure”, which has never been seen before in the region.
But corruption expert Brahaj disagrees. The vetting processes were ‘well-intentioned, but poorly planned’. The Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court were not fully staffed for years and were de facto unable to function. A flawed judiciary has allowed the government to pass ‘corrupt laws’.
Way behind when it comes to freedom of press
An area that Brussels is scrutinizing closely for the progress of the EU membership process, and which worries the EU ambassador, Hohmann, is the freedom of the press in the country: “The understanding that the press is a corrective agent needs to be developed in Albania”. The country is ranked 103rd out of 180 countries by Reporters Without Borders.
The broadcast media is largely in the hands of a few wealthy entrepreneurs with political connections. Prime Minister Rama caused a stir recently after he threatened journalists with ‘re-education’ after critical questions and excluded them from press conferences. “We expect all politicians to treat journalists with respect,” says Hohmann.
The candidate country still has a long way to go before Albania joins the European alliance. For Sokol Dedja, the Head of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, efforts are needed not only from Tirana. “In view of the war in Europe and the granting of candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, the EU must now show more credibility than the promises made to the candidate countries, to show that EU enlargement is a serious process.”
In other words, the EU must prove to Russia that the unity of European countries goes beyond terminology, even as a sign of restraint. According to him, the countries of the Western Balkans have made it their priority joining the alliance because they are “more advanced in preparation”. On the other hand, EU ambassador Hohmann emphasizes that the war in Ukraine will not result in the automatic enlargement of the EU. “Each country will continue to be considered individually. The geostrategic argument should not hide the fact that the countries must of course also meet their respective requirements to enter the EU”. According to Hohmann, Tirana must now prove that the trust of the member countries is justified. “Albania is now facing a marathon”.
Download the full article HERE
OpenData Youth Fellowship Retreat October 22nd and 23rd, 2022
/in Events, Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminThe organization AIS / Open Data Albania has been working with a group of students and young professionals for a year, creating a Fellowship program for empowering young people in Anti-corruption matters. This includes events held during the year such as work sessions; discussion forums; internships with the organization’s team; training and other networking events. On the weekend of October 22nd and 23rd, members of the youth team traveled to several districts of the country on a Retreat. The event contains – Happy Hours and Networking – Presentation of the Organization’s Work Strategy Youth Objectives – StartUp DataThon Albania
The young participants areas of significance for nature; culture, tradition and urban development of the country, such as: – Nivica, the view over the Canyon – Peshtura waterfall – Labova, the beautiful area of Lunxhëria with religious and cultural monuments dating back to the 5th century. – accommodation at Bujtina Maria, a model of agritourism and tourism business initiative, where we presented AIS new Work Strategy, with a focus on civic education and young people. – Archaeological Park #Antigone. – Peshtan, visit to the Italian-Greek war museum, During the event, the Work Program was also finalized for the next event of the Network, which is DataThon Albania Financing of Political Parties, an event that will be held in December 2022.
Working with young people and empowering them against corruption is part of the implementation of the Open Data, Access and Transparency over sectors exposed to Risk of Corruption Project. The project is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. One of the components of the project is Youth Empowerment against Corruption – Citizen Education, Improve Fact-Checking Models.Training Cycle: Youth Empowerment against Corruption – Citizen Education, Improve Fact Checking Models
/in Events, Press Releases /by adminThe Organization AIS / Open Data Albania is holding this week (October 2022) a training cycle with young people, part of the OpenDataYouth Network. The young participants in this program are selected through competition targeting young journalist professionals or students; economists; tax accountants; future politicians; analysts; sociologists; researchers; etc.
The purpose of the Training is to raise the capacities and empower the youth, as the category most predisposed to bring change in society. The targeted capacity includes awareness, articulation, education and evaluation on issues of good governance and anti-corruption. Provide them with knowledge about the stakeholders engaged in anti-corruption phenomena and tracking methods. The final goal is for a researcher, activist, journalist in the first steps of the profession, or during university studies to be able to articulate publicly on issues related to governance and corruption
There are eight specific topics addressed during October with a focus on anti-corruption and good governance issues, namely Corruption and EU Integration; Media and Anti-Corruption; Institutions and Stakeholders engaged in Anti-Corruption; Gender Perspective and Anti-Corruption; Corruption by Law; Money Laundering Challenges; Fiscal Policy and Civil Society and Activism for Anticorruption.
Working with young people and empowering them against corruption is part of the implementation of the Open Data, Access and Transparency over sectors exposed to Risk of Corruption Project. The project is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Sida. One of the components of the project is Youth Empowerment against Corruption – Citizen Education, Improve Fact-Checking Models.
This component shall consist of several events. Its objective is to educate and develop the skills of a group of young people in critical thinking and articulation on issues related to corruption. The component envisages activities such as training, individual work sessions, internships at the organization, forum, preparation of articles and networking.
See the Training Program: HERE
See the Curricula HERE
Photo from the Training:
Announcements and other Network Events:
Call Apply to become part of the open data fellowship youth network http://ais.al/new/en/apply-to-become-part-of-the-open-data-fellowship-youth-network/
OpenData Fellowship Youth Network working with young people to increase their capacities
Forum “Youth and Emigration as an inducement to live for a better country
Policy Paper “Financial control and the process of opening European Integration negotiations for Chapter 32”
/in Homeposts, Publications /by adminThe Policy Paper “Financial control and the process of opening European Integration negotiations for Chapter 32” was drafted by the Albanian Institute of Science AIS / Open Data Albania, during the implementation of C1 – EU – NPA
Project “Improving the Debate on Policies and Accountability to Fulfill Basic Rights”, through the creation of the Cluster 1 Albania Negotiation Platform.
This project is being implemented by four Albanian organizations: the Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance CSDG, the Institute for Political Studies ISP, the Albanian Helsinki Committee AHC and the Albanian Institute of Science AIS, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana.
See the event agenda HERE
You will find enclosed below the following items:
Findings, Opinions or Recommendations expressed in this event represent the viewpoints of the experts and the AIS organization and do not coincide with the responsibility of the partners or supporters of the C1-EU-NPA Project.
H.E.Mr. Reinout Vos – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Albania
Mrs.Aranita Brahaj, director of AIS/ Open Data Albania
Prof. Lindita Lati Milo
Mr. Eduart Shalsi, Chairperson, Parliamentary Committee Economy and Finance and Mr. Arbi Agalliu member of Parliamentary Committee for Economy and Finance
Mr. Eduart Gjokutaj, ALTAX
Mr.Fran Brahimaj, Local Finance Director, at MoFE
Mrs. Oriada Tare
Mrs. Anila Cili
Mrs. Albana Gjinopulli
Documents and Analysis following the Decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, case of Besnik Cani v. Albania (vetting), AksesDrejtesiAlbania
/in Homeposts, Press Releases /by adminIf Besnik Cani v. Albania case in Strasburg would construe a Precedent (unifying verdict) 8 other judges and prosecutors today would be awarded the same rights as Mr. Cani, as the Judge elected in violation of the statutory criterias is part of nine Decisions where the KPA (Appeals Chamber) has opposed the qualifications in the KPK (Independent Qualification Commission)
The previous day, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg issued a decision on the case of Besnik Cani against Albania. Mr. Cani is a prosecutor who passed the first stage of evaluation in the KPK (Decision No. 84/2018), but was dismissed by the Special Appeals Panel (Decision 2.2020). His case in Strasbourg referred precisely to the decision of the KPA, with the argument that the right to due process had been violated, since one of the member judges of the College, Mr. L.D., had been appointed in violation of the statutory criteria, having previously been dismissed from his office as a judge in First Instance Court.
The Strasbourg Court accepted the request of Mr. Besnik Cani, awarding him the right to claim that he was not given a proper process. Mr. Cani’s profile and documents concerning his evaluation HERE
The Decision issued on October 4th by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, it seems to cast doubts on quite a few decisions, where the KPA Judge (elected contrary to the statutory criteria) was a member of the body that made said decisions. Specifically, below we will list the cases in which the Judge or Prosecutor under the Vetting Process had been confirmed by the Temporary Qualification Commission, but was later dismissed by the KPA- Special Appeals Chamber composed of a panel that included Mr. L.D.
The documents listed below are part of the Access to Justice database – the Register of Magistrates, a register created by the AIS organization with the aim of increasing transparency, integrity and public trust in individuals who are part of the justice system.
Confirmed in KPK (Independent Qualification Commission) and dismissed in KPA (Appeals Chamber)
Meanwhile, KPA member Luan Daci was appointed by the Assembly as a member of the Special Appeals Chamber on June 17, 2017. A criminal investigation was filed against him in the Supreme Court thereafer. He exercised this duty until his suspension from the College (December 2021).
Mr. Luan Daci has been part of the collegial body in about 35 Decisions concerning re-evaluations of Judges and Prosecutors which constitute Dismissal Decisions in the KLP (High Prossecutor’s Office), who remained in force even after the appeal in the KPA (Appeals Chamber).
All KPA Decisions are published and carefully listed in the Register of Magistrates Access to Justice Akses Drejtësi, a platform created by the AIS organization as an open and transparent model of a Magistrate’s Register.