REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
SUPREME COURT
PRESS OFFICE
Tirana 02 May 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Letter of Chief Justice Mr. Thimjo Kondi address to:
The Honorable John G. Roberts, Jr
Chief Justice of U.S.A
Supreme Court of the United States
Washington D.C 20543
Honorable Mr. Chief Justice ROBERTS,
Having returned to Albania, I wish to express once again, in my own name and that of my judicial colleagues, warmest thanks and deepest gratitude for the extraordinary reception you provided us during our visit to the United States Supreme Court.
Your reception, which was so friendly and heartfelt that I cannot find words to describe it, left deep impressions on all of us; I assure you that it will be long remembered. We especially appreciate the interest you took in the progress of the Albanian judiciary on its difficult road toward building a state ruled by law in Albania and our challenges in consolidating it according to the most advanced standards of Western countries.
I also wish to express my deep gratitude for the warm words and high estimation that you directed in a particular manner to me personally. I was deeply touched and immeasurably encouraged by them.
Let me also thank you for accepting our invitation to visit Albania at a suitable time, as your busy agenda might permit. We hope for this historic visit, which we eagerly await, to take place at the earliest possible opportunity.
In conclusion, please allow me to express once again my deepest respect and my highest consideration.
Sincerely yours
Thimjo KONDI
Press Office
Tel/Fax:04227806
supremecourt@albaniaonline.net
http://www.gjykataelarte.gov.al*
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REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA
SUPREME COURT
PRESS OFFICE
PRESS RELEASE
The interview of the American Jurists Paul MAGNUSON and Roger SHERRARD for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, published in “Albania” and “Zeri i Popullit” newspapers.
Albanian justice has marked an obvious progress during the last 10 years, but there is still work to be done regarding the improvement of effectiveness, fairness and independence of the judiciary system.
This was confirmed yesterday by the American jurists, Paul MAGNUSON, Judge and Chairman of the Foreign Committee of Judicial Conference in the United States and the well-known lawyer Roger SHERRARD.
The two jurists visited Albania invited by the Supreme Court on the occasion of the Justice Day and recognized the actual situation of the judiciary system, and the problems the Albanian justice is confronting.
Mr. MAGNUSON and Mr. SHERRARD in an interview for the Albanian Telegraphic Agency asserted that they see obvious improvements in the judiciary system of Albania, but remains still problematic the corruption and the lack of independence of the judiciary power from the other powers.
“The reason why we are here is that we want to help Albania in development of a fair, just and independent judiciary and overall to serve the citizens”, - affirms SHERRARD. “All the countries have constitutions, laws and rules, but without the executive authorities, without a good judiciary system, without the good will of applying these rules, no institution can be complete and effective.
Regarding the preparation of the Albanian jurists, MAGNUSON says he considers it very good and esteems it as an important element of the progress in this view.
“I must say that the Albanian jurists are well prepared, their attitude is professional when they have to deal with the interior issues as well as in accordance with domestic law and international law, - he affirms.
“Their work must be appreciated, because there are these jurists who will cultivate the judiciary system in the country, - MAGNUSON says, who adds that the young professionals must have more possibilities of trainings.
Being asked about the corruption phenomenon in Albanian justice, the American jurists admit that this is a big problem not only for Albania, but for more other countries. “We must engage in this issue, we must parry it, because this phenomenon affects not only the justice but even the state and the society”, the lawyers say.
According to them people must learn to say no to corruption, to not get involved in bribed spheres becoming part of the defector mechanism. “There is asked for a consensus between people, regarding the bribe giving. When someone asks you to pay, you must say no, you must not enter in this system, and you must learn to refuse,”- they emphasize.
Lawyer SHERRARD says that everything must begin from the concept. “Politicians must not accuse in vain the judges and neither people must accuse them. If there is information for unjust judgments, all must be sent to High Council of Justice, which is actually in complete duty”, he asserts.
“We must appreciate the role of the Supreme Court as an important institution of Albanian justice which has continuously improved its work”, the lawyers said. They affirmed that to have a good system of justice and a strong judiciary is necessary to raise professionally the judicial officers and investigators. MAGNUSON and SHERRARD stress out that in Albania exists an obvious improvement even in the relation between justice and politics. The democracy changed many things”, SHERRARD explains.
“Certainly, in one country things change sooner or later than in another, but in any case there is another conception for the things all in all. The question is to find out the problem and to correct it as soon as possible”, says SHERRARD.
Whereas regarding the Albanian justice school, the American jurists emphasized that it has gained very good lawyers, able to build and to contribute for the improvement of the judiciary system.
As for the communication with public the American jurists stress out that this is a quaint problem of the judges, lawyers, and prosecutors.
“It is true that they want to look through the case, study it, represent it, and give the arbitration and nothing more”, MAGNUSON says.
“They are not like politicians; they don’t want to speak out the court room and for everything concerning their profession. They are not disposed to communicate with medias even more than the American lawyers”, SHERRARD admits.
The jurists say that this problem can get better. “We think that the judges must improve the communication between each other and with public, the point is to not be afraid of speaking with public because of fear of being criticized or your own words being used.
“Justice is the truth in action, and journalists must know this”, SHERARD and MAGNUSON stress out.
“What we continuously must emphasize is that the journalists must give the judges the possibility to help in finding out the truth”, concluded the American jurists.
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MEDIA RELEASE
CHIEF JUSTICE THIMJO KONDI TO RECEIVE
American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative Reformer’s Award
Washington, D.C. (July 8, 2003) — The American Bar Association Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI) will present its annual Reformer’s Award to Thimjo Kondi, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Albania on Tuesday, July 15, 2003, during the CEELI Annual Meeting in Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro. This prestigious award recognizes individuals in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union who have shown uncommon vision, courage and perseverance in advancing the rule of law.
“Justice Kondi is a true leader in reform – a constant source of inspiration to everyone who seeks to promote the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe,” said CEELI Executive Director David Tolbert. “CEELI has been very proud to work with him for many years, as he has proven to be a tireless advocate for reform. I am personally pleased that CEELI will be recognizing Justice Kondi for the unique contribution he has made to the rule of law in Albania and, indeed, throughout the region.”
Chief Justice Kondi has been a key partner in CEELI’s judicial reform programs for Albania for the past several years. He was instrumental in developing the National Judicial Conference, a national judges’ association. Additionally, under Chief Justice Kondi’s direction and leadership, and with CEELI’s assistance, the Albanian judiciary drafted and adopted a Judicial Code of Ethics.
Chief Justice Kondi has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to reform and has been a reform leader throughout Albania’s transition to democracy. “I met Chief Justice Kondi in 1994 – shortly after he resigned from the Constitutional Court,” said Scott Carlson, CEELI Director of Central and East European Programs. “His actions then, as now, demonstrate uncommon courage and dedication to the rule of law.”
After receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of Tirana in 1977, Chief Justice Kondi began his legal career as Judge of the District Court in 1978. He thereafter became an Advisor to the Albanian Supreme Court in 1982 and held the position until 1990. Kondi served as Director of the Research Directorate of the Ministry of Justice from 1990 to 1992 and then as a Justice on the Constitutional Court of Albania from 1992 to 1994. From 1995 to 1997, he was a Legal Advisor/Defense Lawyer for the Documentation Center of Rights and became Minister of Justice in July 1997, where he served until his appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in June 1999.
About the CEELI Reformer’s Award
The CEELI Reformer’s Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in promoting the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Reformer's Award recipients are individuals who have shown uncommon vision, courage and perseverance in advancing the rule of law in their country.
CEELI is presenting its Reformer’s Award to Chief Justice in recognition of his continued and dedicated work over several years in Albania and your continued leadership in the Supreme Court. Also, this award recognizes the important partnership which has been formed between the Supreme Court of Albania and CEELI and the achievements that have originated from that collaboration.
About CEELI
CEELI is a public service project of the American Bar Association that advances the rule of law by supporting the law reform process in Central and Eastern Europe and the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Through its programs, CEELI makes available American and European legal expertise and technical assistance for emerging democracies as they modify and restructure their laws and legal systems.
CEELI has offices in 22 countries across Central Europe and Eurasia. Since CEELI’s founding in 1990, more than 5,000 judges, attorneys, law professors and legal specialists have contributed pro bono assistance to promoting the rule of law in the region.
Pictures of the moment of receiving the Reformer's Award in presence of Honorable Sandra Day O'CONOR, Justice of the Supreme Court of USA
