HF III - Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania

Building upon the results achieved from the implementation of the first and the second phase of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the Action “Enhancing the protection of human rights of prisoners in Albania” assists the authorities to further enhance prison reform and the protection of the human rights of prisoners and the persons detained in special institutions. It is implemented in close cooperation and partnership with the Ministry of Justice (Directorate General for Prison Administration - DGPA), the Ministry of Health and other national stakeholders, including prominent civil society organisations active in the area of protection and promotion of human rights.
The Action will focus on achieving the following outcomes:

• The systematic application of newly gained knowledge and skills by prison staff improved healthcare provision to prisoners with mental health disorders and forensic patients;
• The process of rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners is further strengthened through the application of individual sentence plans and reintegration programmes;
• DGPA further strengthened their human resources practices and enhanced capacities for sustainable in-house training provision.

The key Conventions for this Action are the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), as well as the findings and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

The duration of the project is set at 48 months, and it is expected to be completed by 31 December 2026, with an overall budget of 850,000 Euros.

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Back Albania’s high-level officials discussed the necessary interventions following the latest report of the Council of Europe Committee against Torture

Nino LAPACHI

Modified 8 Months ago.

@ Council of Europe

Deputy Ministers of Justice and Health and Social Protection, high level prison management and representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ombudsman, alongside with representatives of the civil society, the Council of Europe Co-operation in police and deprivation of liberty Division (CPDL), the European Committee against torture (CPT), the EUD and other donors, met on 30 January 2024 in Tirana, to discuss the upcoming steps in addressing the key challenges of the country’s penitentiary system, as well as the long-standing issue of forensic patients in Albania.

In January 2024, the CPT published the report on its periodic visit to Albania, conducted in 2023. Highlighting the longstanding structural deficiencies regarding forensic patients and prisoners with mental disorders, as well as overcrowding in most of the prisons in Albania, the report took note of certain positive measures, such as sustainability of the Training center. The first vice-president of CPT noted that it’s positive that hardly any allegations of ill-treatment by staff were received, that is a positive step compared to the previous visits.

The CPT recommendations are seen by all stakeholders as a matter of priority and there is a wide consensus on the planned interventions, both at central and prison level. The roundtable was an opportunity to have an open discussion, looking into comparative experiences on dealing with forensic patients, as well as into the specific actions that shall be taken in relation to the execution of Strazimiri case.

The Round table was conducted in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme ”Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye – Phase III”, and in particular Action on “Enhancing the protection of Human Rights of prisoners in Albania”.

TIRANA, ALBANIA 30 January 2024