CSDG – Qendra për Studimin e Demokracisë dhe Qeverisjes organized a roundtable discussion on “Assessing the Institutional Architecture in Function of the Performance and Integrity of the Special Prosecution Office: Guarantees for Independence and Accountability Mechanisms.”

➤ At the opening of the event, Ms. Elisa Spiropali, Speaker of the Parliament of Albania, Mr. Reinout Vos, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union, shared their views on the importance of ensuring institutional legitimacy in criminal justice through high standards of integrity and public trust.

➤ Mr. Altin Dumani, Head of the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), highlighted the complex challenges SPAK faces in ensuring effective and independent justice. He emphasized the importance of strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing inter-institutional cooperation, and maintaining continuous support to ensure that the fight against corruption and organized crime is conducted professionally, with integrity, and free from external interference.

➤ The Minister of Justice, Mr. Ulsi Manja, emphasized the need to strengthen inter-institutional coordination and the systematic use of statistical data to inform policies aimed at increasing efficiency and transparency.
➤ Ms. Mirela Bogdani, Chair of the High Prosecutorial Council, underlined the crucial role of the Council as the central governing body of the prosecution system, mandated to guarantee the institutional and functional independence of prosecutors, including those within the Special Prosecution Office. She added that, while important steps have been taken to strengthen the system, there is a clear institutional awareness of the need for continuous improvement in pursuit of a justice system that is increasingly professional and trustworthy.

➤ During the event, the High Justice Inspector presented a summary of key data and findings related to disciplinary proceedings, oversight of integrity, and promotion of ethical conduct, as part of the Inspector’s investigative and monitoring functions over subjects within the justice system.

📘 The report prepared by CSDG – Qendra për Studimin e Demokracisë dhe Qeverisjes provides a comprehensive assessment of how prosecutorial independence is guaranteed and how accountability mechanisms function both internally and externally. The report is based on a clear methodology that divides the assessment into 6 main areas: 3 related to independence and 3 related to accountability. For each area, a set of criteria is analyzed, focusing on institutional functioning, the role of relevant actors, and the implementation of legal guarantees in practice.

The roundtable aimed to offer an inclusive platform for professional dialogue between justice institutions and international partners, encouraging reflection on progress made and the ongoing challenges in consolidating an independent, transparent, and well-accountable justice system.