The Ombudsman In Brussels: Judicial Delays And Property Impasse Are Seriously Violating Fundamental Rights In Albania, Pre-Trial Detentions Should Be Reduced
Brussels, 3 March 2026 – In a report to the European Union, the Ombudsman today raised the alarm on the structural failures that are undermining the fundamental rights of citizens in Albania, focusing exclusively on the challenges of the justice system and the violation of the right to property. During his speech, Shabani stressed that these problems require urgent intervention by national authorities.
“Excessive delays in the justice system are denying access to justice and the right to due process. The institution’s data shows that issues related to property and judicial processes account for the main number of complaints. Excessive judicial delays are not simply procedural delays; they are structurally compromising citizens’ right to due process, turning the collapse of the system into a denial of justice itself,” said Shabani.
The Ombudsman added that this problem in the system also affects the economic prosperity of citizens.
“When citizens are forced to go to court to resolve these disputes, the prolonged delays cause their assets to be frozen for years, causing economic damage. This intersection of administrative dysfunction with judicial delays restricts property rights, depriving citizens of legal remedies and leaving them without real protection,” said Mr. Shabani.
He also touched on the issue of the high number of detainees in the Albanian detention system.
"The use of pre-trial detention as a standard is overloading prisons, worsening the conditions in which prisoners are held, especially those with mental health problems. Pre-trial detention should be the exception, not the norm, if we are to respect the principle of the presumption of innocence," declared Shabani, during his speech at the 17th meeting of the Subcommittee on Justice, Freedom and Security (JFS), which operates under the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Union and Albania.
The meeting serves as a technical and political forum where representatives of the Albanian government and the European Commission discuss Albania's progress in key areas of the rule of law.