Murder of Astri Kalasa/ European Association of Judges adopts resolution, call for Albanian government

2025-10-15 11:15:00, Aktualitet CNA

Murder of Astri Kalasa/ European Association of Judges adopts resolution, call

Astrit Kalaja

The European Association of Judges (EAJ) has adopted a resolution in support of Albanian judges, following the murder of judge Astrit Kalaja in the line of duty.

This resolution was unanimously adopted at the request of the Union of Judges of Albania, at the annual meeting of the International Association of Judges, of which the EAJ is a part, being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 11 to 17.

The resolution calls on the Albanian government to guarantee respect for judicial independence, to stop unjustified criticism, threats and attacks against judges, and also to take measures to ensure their security.

Full resolution of the European Association of Judges:

At its meeting in Baku on 14 October 2025, the European Association of Judges (“EAJ”) was informed by its member, the Albanian Union of Judges, of the recent killing of a judge at an appeals court in Albania, Astrit Kalaja, who was shot while delivering a judgment. The delegates present were shocked by the news and expressed their condolences to the judge’s family, friends and colleagues.

Delegates also expressed deep concern when they learned of the circumstances in which this act took place. In addition to the fact that the judicial system is under pressure due to the shortage of judges as a result of the vetting process, judges have recently been the subject of abusive public attacks in the media by senior political figures. These attacks have gone as far as identifying and insulting individual judges, including publishing their photographs on social media. Repeated calls by the Albanian Union of Judges and the High Judicial Council to end these public attacks on members of the judiciary have been ignored, and as a result, public trust in the judicial system continues to erode, while judges are forced to work in an environment hostile to public opinion.

The unacceptability of such behavior is self-evident. European standards are clear:

(i) “While objective criticism of the courts and their decisions is permissible, it is not acceptable for other powers in the state to criticize the judiciary in a manner that undermines the independence, judicial authority or public confidence in the judiciary and that incites disobedience or even violence against judges.”

(ii) “The executive and legislative powers have the obligation to provide all necessary and appropriate measures of protection when the functions of the courts are jeopardized by physical attacks or threats directed against members of the judiciary.”

Therefore, EAJ calls on the government of Albania:

• to guarantee respect for judicial independence;

• to stop unjustified criticism, threats and attacks against judges; and

• take effective measures to guarantee the safety of judges. /CNA