The Union of Judges of Albania, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors have reacted following the publication of the European Commission’s 2026 Report on Albania, calling for the immediate implementation of the recommendations for the justice system.
In a joint statement, the three organisations acknowledge the progress made in the functioning of the judiciary and the strengthening of its independence through the completion of the vetting process, but raise concerns about issues that remain unresolved.
Referring to the European Commission’s report, they stress that efforts by public officials and politicians, including at the highest levels, to exert undue influence over justice institutions have continued, as have personal attacks against judges and prosecutors.
The three organisations have assessed the progress made in the functioning of the judiciary and the strengthening of its independence through the completion of the vetting process, but emphasise that several issues remain unresolved.
In a joint statement, referring to the European Commission’s report, they highlight the efforts by public officials and politicians, including at the highest levels, to exert undue influence over justice institutions, as well as personal attacks against judges and prosecutors.
Another issue is the conflict over the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s decision on salaries, which led to the blocking of judiciary budgets and the non-payment of August salaries. The report describes this situation as unprecedented.
The organisations also raise the issue of magistrates’ security, recalling the murder of Tirana Appeal Court judge Astrit Kalaja in October 2025. According to the report, eight magistrates, six prosecutors and two judges are currently under protection.
Attention is also drawn to the difficulties faced by district courts and prosecution offices, which are dealing with heavy workloads, staff shortages and insufficient capacity for financial investigations and complex cases.
In conclusion, the three organisations call on the responsible institutions to stop interference and attacks against magistrates, to draft the salary reform in consultation with the judiciary, to guarantee their security and to provide the necessary human and technical resources for the justice system.
“An independent justice system requires magistrates who are safe, respected and free from pressure. This is the responsibility of all institutions,” the joint statement says.
