The National Chamber of Advocates, is another proof of the chaos in the justice system

18 Dhjetor 2020, 15:28, English CNA

Last week, the most discussed event in the Albanian society, and mainly in Tirana, on social networks or even television media, were the protests against the murder of 25-year-old Klodian Rasha. Also, the object of discussion in relation to these protests, has been the concern over the criminal proceedings of a relatively high number of young people, and especially minors.

First of all, concern has caused the lack of facilities and capacities in the police stations. And the second concern, that received an international attention, were the abuses with the procedural actions performed mainly with minor citizens, as it turned out that the rules regarding the presence of a psychologist lawyer, or even the place of interrogation were not respected.

Regarding this situation, the People?s Advocate reacted, conducting inspections and visits to police stations in Tirana. There was also a strong reaction from the Council of Europe, which, among other things, stressed that ?any detention of children by the police, should occur only as a last resort, and in any case must fully respect their procedural rights, including the right to be questioned only in the presence of a lawyer or one of their parents or guardians?. On the other hand, it is disturbing and almost shameful the lack of a respon se from the National Chamber of Advocates. This institution has had a legal as well as a moral obligation for a strong reaction, especially for the obstruction that was made by the authorities to some lawyers during the exercise of the profession, denying and complicating the latter even the meetings with their clients.

It is worth mentioning that point 3/1 of the statute of this Chamber, states that the object of the activity of the Albanian Bar Association is ?guaranteeing the exercise of profession and strengthening the independence of the lawyer as a freelancer?. On the other hand, this institution in the financial aspect, operates mainly from the quotas paid by all lawyers. And this is one more reason to monitor the implementation of their rights in the exercise of their duties, and this monitoring should be in the service of justice, general and not selective or clienteles.

We recall that the last reaction of the National Chamber of Advocates, was the one earlier this year, regarding the arrest of two lawyers, Ilir Korbi and Betim Skopje, of Henri Çili?s law firm, in the framework of the ?Mezhgorani? operation. The functioning of the National Chamber of Advocates in pursuit of its goals, will have to harmoniously follow the recent developments due to the ?Justice Reform? and not be satisfied with some electoral processes of ? anonymous? structures inside this institution.

The lack of an active position that this institution should have in the current developments in the field of justice, is the side of a medal which gives us another proof of the chaos that reigns in the justice system./Lawyer Pallko Trendelina

Dhoma Kombëtare e Avokatisë një tjetër dëshmi e ?Rumpallës në Drejtësi?