In his remarks, Manja points out that the Western Balkans region and beyond carries many challenges in several areas, but that of justice remains one of the main challenges facing all the countries in their efforts to meet the EU integration-related requirements and strengthen the rule of law.

Regarding the justice reform in Albania, Manja said that tangible progress has been made.

“We have concluded the changes to the legislation with the unanimous vote of the legal package and the amendments to the Constitution reflecting the political will of the majority and the opposition in the same line, supporting the legal and constitutional changes. We have managed to have a fruitful vetting process, although not expected to result in such a high level of judges and prosecutors’ dismissals, a vetting process which is bringing about a continuous transformation of the Albanian judicial system, with the aim of restoring and increasing public confidence in the justice system and ensuring the independence of the judiciary for a strong rule of law. Vetting bodies are operating at full capacity and this reevaluation of judges and prosecutors is being conducted under the strict monitoring of the International Monitoring Operation.

“Currently, 450 judges and prosecutors have been vetted, 60% of whom have been either dismissed or resigned from the system, an unprecedented figure in the field of Albanian justice,” said Manja.

Manja also added that this reform would not be essential without the establishment and functioning of new justice institutions, which have had and will continue to have the support of the Albanian government and the Ministry of Justice in the effort to meet their targets for a an independent, professional and integrity-based justice system, where the rule of law will uproot the system of impunity and corruption once and for all.

“The process of establishing independent institutions of judicial governance, such as the High Judicial Council, the High Prosecution Council, the High Inspector of Justice has completed. A new comprehensive institutional architecture for the fight against corruption and organized crime is in place. It consists of Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, National Bureau of Investigation, Courts against Corruption and Organized Crime, functioning High Court and Constitutional Court,” he said.

Manja added that Judicial Reform in the last 5 years has seen multiple achievements, but the adoption of the entire legal framework in justice is further testimony of the radical change and reconstruction of the justice system according to the European model, based on a system of assessing the proficiency of judges and prosecutors, the integrity and legitimacy.
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In reply to an MP who raised the issue about the expiration of IQC term , Manja said that the Justice Reform and consolidation of the new system in Albania will continue during this legislature and will be the top priority on the agenda of Rama 3 government.

“The truth of the matter is that the Vetting bodies have a constitutional mandate. The Constitution has clearly defined that for the three Vetting bodies: the Independent Qualification Commission, the Public Commissioner, and the Special College of Appellate, the term of the IQC and PC is 5 years from the day of exercising the functions, while the term of SCA is 9 years. “Referring to the moment when the Independent Qualification Commission and the Public Commissioner have started exercising their duties, their term runs out on June 17, 2022,” he said.

Manja added that there are 801 subjects in total to be re-evaluated. The progress of the Vetting process so far is as follows: 431 entities have been vetted and 370 are in process.
“They have a constitutional mandate and of course the extension of their term requires an amendment to the Constitution. We do not have the necessary votes to amend the Constitution to extend the term of IQC and PC, so we will seek the consensus of the opposition, because for us the successful completion of the Vetting process as one of the main pillars in the justice system holds the key to consolidating the justice system, ” Minister Manja said.
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