TIRANA, JUNE 25, 2010     Today, USAID’s Rule of Law Program presented the performance and results of its three year, $5.1 million program to improve performance and accountability of ten pilot courts in Albania as well as strengthening oversight institutions like the High Inspectorate for Declarations and Audit of Assets (HIDAA).  Minister of Justice, Bujar Nishani, Deputy Chairman of the High Council of Justice, Kreshnik Spahiu, Inspector General of HIDAA, Adriatik Llala, USAID Program Officer, Sean Huff, and Chief Judge of the Durres District Court, Ervin Metalla, delivered remarks at the event.

USAID selected 10 pilot courts and introduced computerized trial records, audio records of court hearings, improvements in the archiving system and file management, legal research and writing training, and financial management software – in order to help courts meet standards for good judicial practice.  USAID, in cooperation with OSCE, also supported the opening of Public Information Offices in the Gjirokastra and Tirana Appellate Courts and the Mat District Court.

Through the program, USAID also continued its support to HIDAA, producing a number of guides on conflicts of interests, training HIDAA staff on investigations, and strengthening its cooperation with media and civil society to detect and investigate corruption cases. 

In his remarks at the event, Huff emphasized the importance of sustained government commitment from judges, the Ministry, and the Government of Albania to ensure that USAID’s program in the pilot courts continues and is rolled-out in other courts across the country.

“The way to fight judicial corruption is through transparency. Open the courts. Make the rules and procedures clear. Punish those who do not follow the rules.  Set a high standard. Actively gain public trust and support,” said Huff.  “For the courts to be transparent and open to the public, hearings have to be held in court rooms of public record rather than in judge’s offices. Ending trials in judges’ chambers now, today, will improve the experience of the court users tremendously.”

In the coming months, USAID will launch a new program to support Albania’s fight against corruption in the justice sector.