TIRANA – Lack of progress in guaranteeing the safety of judges and prosecutors, interference in the justice system and difficult working conditions are some of the problems identified in the European Commission's 2026 Report on Albania.

In a joint statement, the Union of Judges of Albania, the National Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors have called on the responsible institutions to take concrete measures to implement the report's recommendations, emphasizing the lack of progress in guaranteeing security for magistrates.

According to the report, currently eight magistrates have been placed on protection, specifically six prosecutors and two judges.

It is also emphasized that the murder of Tirana Appeals Judge Astrit Kalaja in October 2025 was not followed by a sufficient reaction from the courts, state authorities and judicial councils to guarantee the security of the judiciary at all levels.

Another concern raised relates to the interventions of public officials and politicians, even at the highest levels, to exert undue influence on justice institutions, as well as personal attacks on magistrates.

The organizations of judges and prosecutors also dwell on the conflict over the implementation of the Constitutional Court's decision on salaries, which led to the blockage of the judiciary's budgets and the non-payment of judges' salaries.

According to them, the salary reform should be carried out in genuine consultation with the judiciary and in accordance with CEPEJ standards and the principles of the Constitutional Court.

The report also highlights the difficulties faced by district courts and prosecutors' offices due to high workload, lack of staff and insufficient capacity for financial investigations and complex cases. Delays in the electronic case management system remain another problem affecting the quality and efficiency of justice.

In their statement, the three organizations demand a halt to interventions and attacks on magistrates, the taking of concrete measures for their safety, the drafting of salary reform in consultation with the judiciary, and the provision of the justice system with the necessary human and technical resources.

JOINT STATEMENT

On the occasion of the publication of the European Commission's 2026 Report on Albania

The European Commission's 2026 report, published on 4 November 2026, assesses that Albania has made good progress in the functioning of the judiciary and that the completion of the vetting process has further strengthened independence, accountability and integrity. This progress has been achieved thanks to the daily work of judges and prosecutors, often in difficult conditions. But the report also clearly shows what remains unresolved.

The Commission notes that attempts by public officials and politicians, including at the highest levels, to exert undue influence on justice institutions, as well as personal attacks on magistrates, have continued. The conflict over the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s decision on salaries has led to the blocking of judiciary budgets and the non-payment of judges’ salaries, a situation that the report describes as unprecedented. The report stresses that the salary reform should respect CEPEJ standards, the principles of the Constitutional Court and include meaningful consultations with the judiciary.

The report finds a lack of progress in ensuring security standards for judges and prosecutors. Eight magistrates have been placed under protection: six prosecutors and two judges. According to the report, the murder of Tirana Court of Appeal judge Astrit Kalaja in October 2025 was not followed by a sufficient reaction by courts, state authorities and councils to guarantee the security of the judiciary at all levels.

District courts and prosecutors’ offices continue to operate under severe constraints, with high workloads and limited staffing. For district prosecutors’ offices, the report also notes insufficient capacity for financial investigations and complex cases, and recommends that their strengthening be a priority. The lack of magistrates and support staff, as well as delays in the electronic case management system, continue to affect the quality and efficiency of justice.

We, the Union of Judges of Albania, the National Association of Judges of the Republic of Albania and the Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania, call on the responsible institutions to implement the recommendations of the report without delay: to stop interference and attacks on magistrates, to draft the salary reform in genuine consultation with the judiciary, to take concrete measures for the security of judges and prosecutors, and to provide the justice system with the human and technical resources it needs.

An independent judiciary requires a secure, respected judiciary free from pressure. This is the responsibility of all institutions.

The Union of Judges of Albania

National Association of Judges of the Republic of Albania

Association of Prosecutors of the Republic of Albania

Tirana, November 5, 2026