The objective is to ensure equal access to justice for everyone in compliance with the European Union requirements as part of the ongoing EU accession negotiations.

Ergys Qirici, General Director of the Directorate of Free Legal Aid at the Ministry of Justice, told an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) on Sunday that ensuring access to justice for the marginalized and vulnerable society groups is key priority and a core aspect as Albania has already embarked on the EU accession negotiations with the first intergovernmental conference having been opened on October 15 with the Chapter 23, or the Fundamentals’ Cluster.

In this context – he went on saying – marginalized social groups, people in need who cannot afford legal assistance, are entitled to benefiting it for free through legal aid teams.

He noted that legal aid offices now offer their assistance in accordance to the new judicial map, significantly improving access to justice for everyone.

“Low-income families and individuals, who receive social assistance, domestic violence victims, victims of sexual abuse, victims of human trafficking, minor victims, children living in social care institutions, persons who benefit from disability payments, persons who benefit from blind status are all entitled to benefiting legal assistance for free,” Qirici said.

He explained that UNDP is assisting Albanian government Albania’s efforts toward proving access to justice for poor and disadvantaged groups as part of aligning national policy framework with EU laws and standards.

Qirici said that UNDP has established 14 free legal aid centres in various regions of Albania, including Durres, Fier, Pogradec, Dibra, Shkodra, Lezha, Gjirokastra, Vlora, Elbasan, Berat, Kukes, and Korça. UNDP provides financial assistance to six free legal aid centres currently, while the rest are supported by the Ministry of Justice.

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