The Albanian Judges’ Association has objected to the language used publicly by Prime Minister Edi Rama against judges who reviewed security measures for protesters. The Association warns that such statements may delegitimize judges and create pressure on their independent decision-making.
In a public statement, the Association stresses that criticism of court decisions is legitimate, but it must not turn into personal attacks on judges or attempts to publicly influence the exercise of their duties. According to the Association, the Prime Minister’s statements are particularly concerning given the role he holds at the head of the executive branch. They risk creating the perception of interference in independent judicial decision-making and negatively affecting public trust in the justice system, the Association assesses.
“The responsibility of the head of the executive is to guarantee respect for constitutional freedoms and public security, not to prejudge court decisions or publicly determine which security measures should be imposed”, the statement emphasizes. The Association underlines that the lawfulness and proportionality of security measures are matters for the courts, which must decide on the basis of law, evidence and the specific circumstances of each case.
In this context, the Association calls on state institutions and political actors to exercise self-restraint and respect the independence of the judiciary, avoiding rhetoric that may put pressure on judges. It also calls for measures to protect judges from any form of pressure arising from the performance of their duties, describing the independence of the judiciary as an essential condition for the functioning of the rule of law.
