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OSCE-facilitated agreement on witness protection signed today in Albania
TIRANA 17 June 2003
TIRANA, 17 June 2003 - A memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a task force on witness protection has been signed today by a number of Albanian Ministries and international agencies operating in the country.
The memorandum provides the basis for creating and operating a Witness Protection Task Force that will seek to provide logistical and financial assistance to witnesses and assist the Albanian Government in developing and implementing witness protection legislation. The memorandum will be in effect until the proper legislative framework on witness protection is adopted and the activities provided for in this memorandum are performed by the national authorities themselves.
"Witness protection in Albania continues to be a sensitive issue", said Blendi Klosi, Albanian Minister of State. "Without adequate witness protection, it is very difficult to encourage witnesses to participate in the justice system and to testify. Their testimony is crucial to the fight against trafficking and organized crime as it is a vital piece of evidence necessary to proceed with prosecution".
In May 2002, an International Task Force chaired by the OSCE Presence in Albania was established to handle witness protection situations until a legislative framework was put in place. This Task Force has dealt with very sensitive individual cases of witness protection, involving especially trafficking victims in great risk of life as a result of their testimonies. In all these cases the co-operation with the Albanian police and the Prosecutor's Office has been significant. Thanks also to the co-operation of foreign embassies, the Task Force has been successful in relocating victims outside of Albania.
"Establishment of an efficient system of witness protection requires also the building of national structures. Thus, the involvement of the Albanian Government in this process is crucial and should be further expanded," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence.
The signing of the memorandum, which was facilitated by the Albanian Ministry of State and the OSCE Presence, took place at the office of Minister of State Blendi Klosi. The memorandum was signed by the Minister of State, the Ministries of Justice, Public Order, and Finance, as well as the General Prosecutor's Office, the OSCE Presence, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the non-governmental organization, Save the Children.
The memorandum provides the basis for creating and operating a Witness Protection Task Force that will seek to provide logistical and financial assistance to witnesses and assist the Albanian Government in developing and implementing witness protection legislation. The memorandum will be in effect until the proper legislative framework on witness protection is adopted and the activities provided for in this memorandum are performed by the national authorities themselves.
"Witness protection in Albania continues to be a sensitive issue", said Blendi Klosi, Albanian Minister of State. "Without adequate witness protection, it is very difficult to encourage witnesses to participate in the justice system and to testify. Their testimony is crucial to the fight against trafficking and organized crime as it is a vital piece of evidence necessary to proceed with prosecution".
In May 2002, an International Task Force chaired by the OSCE Presence in Albania was established to handle witness protection situations until a legislative framework was put in place. This Task Force has dealt with very sensitive individual cases of witness protection, involving especially trafficking victims in great risk of life as a result of their testimonies. In all these cases the co-operation with the Albanian police and the Prosecutor's Office has been significant. Thanks also to the co-operation of foreign embassies, the Task Force has been successful in relocating victims outside of Albania.
"Establishment of an efficient system of witness protection requires also the building of national structures. Thus, the involvement of the Albanian Government in this process is crucial and should be further expanded," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence.
The signing of the memorandum, which was facilitated by the Albanian Ministry of State and the OSCE Presence, took place at the office of Minister of State Blendi Klosi. The memorandum was signed by the Minister of State, the Ministries of Justice, Public Order, and Finance, as well as the General Prosecutor's Office, the OSCE Presence, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the non-governmental organization, Save the Children.