OSCE and Albania's Magistrates School Organize Seminar on Juvenile Justice

OSCE

27 October 2005

Over ninety professionals from the Albanian judicial system attended a seminar on juvenile justice issues organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania and the country's School of Magistrates.

The goal of the seminar, the first of its kind in Albania, was to raise awareness of the participants, including judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, social workers and psychologists, about their respective responsibilities in dealing with cases of minors who, due to their age, need specific treatment and care.

"It is important to bring Albanian legislation and practices in this particular field into conformity with the country's international commitments and with European standards," said Ambassador Pavel Vacek, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

He also stressed the significance of establishing a specialized court to administer juvenile delinquency cases.

The seminar was organized in three two-day sessions in the cities of Tirana, Vlora and Durres. Guest lecturers and funding were provided by France.

Although Albania ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992, cases of clearly prohibited actions, such as placing minors with adults in pre-trial detention facilities, do still occur.

At present, the Albanian judicial system offers the assistance of social workers or psychologists to minors in custody only at the pre-trial detention facilities in Tirana.

The participants asked to have more training on juvenile justice issues and more information on best practices in other European states.