Top Channel secures Venice Commission Report for Justice Reform

27/02/2016 00:00

The Venice Commission has prepared the final opinion for the drafts sent
by Tirana for the Justice Reform. Top Channel has secured the 20-page
document through which the Venice experts list their final opinions.

From the beginning, the report says that the draft they received has propositions that make the justice institutions in full accordance with the European standards. The Venice Commission believes that the draft with these amends should probably be finalized without other delays.

Venice says that it is up to the Albanian politics to decide about the justice reform and about how the Supreme Council of Justice is elected, including the Suprme Council of Prosecution, two institutions that will guarantee the independence and accountabilityj of officials.

“There are no strict requests in the international law and practice for using a qualified majority of 2/3rds for appointing the highest leaders. The vote threshold is more of a political than legal issue”

The Venice recommends that more attention should be shifted on the way how important justice institutions are elected, such as the Independent Commission of Qualification, the Special College of Appeal, the Supreme Council of the Prosecution, Supreme Judiciary Council and the Council of Justice Appointing.

“If the political forces don’t agree to vote three members of the new institutions with qualified majorities, they should target a new option that allows the opposition to have representation in all these institutions, or another model that gives the opposition a special influence in the decision making”, Venice says.

Top Channel