NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

The establishment, competencies, guarantees for functioning and monitoring methods of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of Albania are outlined in Article 36 of Law no. 9888, dated March 10, 2008. The integral text of Article 36 (unofficial translation), relating to the NPM can be found in Annex 1.

Law no. 9888, dated March 10, 2008 introduces amendments and additions to the Law no. 8328 of 16 April 1998 “On the rights and treatment of convicted persons”.

The establishment of the National Preventive Mechanism in the Republic of Albania, through the adoption of the above law followed a broad and inclusive consultation process launched by the Albanian Government with representatives from relevant government agencies, the Institution of the People’s Advocate and civil society. Those consultations concluded with the understanding in principle that the Institution of the People’s Advocate had all the necessary prerequisites in taking over the function of the NPM.

The Albanian NPM comprises 5 human rights experts, and it is incorporated within the Office of the Institution of the People’s Advocate. The head of the NPM and its contact person is Mr.Ervin Karamuço. His contact details are provided below:

Ervin KARAMUÇO

-         Phone - +  355 4 23 80 325

-         Mobile - + 355 68 20 74 556

-         E-mail – ervin@avokatipopullit.gov.al

As regards its functioning in the field, in the period from July-November 2008 the NPM carried out 45 inspections in detention centres, military establishments, psychiatric hospitals, centres for asylum seekers and illegal immigrant. 5 round tables were organised in 2008 with representatives from Ministry of Justice, State Police, Prisons, civil society etc.

The NPM presented in May 2008, through the People’s Advocate, a special report on the state of mental health in Albania, while relevant contribution has been provided to the process of improving the General Regulation of Prisons and projection and structuring of new detention centres to be build in the country.