Two new Commissioners of the People's Advocate have been elected by the Albanian Parliament and have already started their duties at the largest human rights institution in our country. Representatives of the Law Commission in the Albanian Parliament, Klotilda Bushka and Klevis Xhoxhi, also participated in their presentation at the Institution.

From 14 April, Ms Olta Aliaj is the Commissioner of the Section for the Protection and Promotion of Children's Rights. Mr Ahmet Prençi is the Commissioner of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture, Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. They both come from prominent careers in the field of justice and human rights in Albanian institutions.

Olta Aliaj graduated in law in Italy and the United States of America. Her main field of expertise is human rights and constitutional law. She worked as a legal assistant in the US, attended a fellowship in the project of drafting a chapter on human rights in the Constitution of Kosovo, and was appointed legal expert of the Parliamentary Commission for Justice Reform in Albania. Prior to her election as Commissioner of the People's Advocate, she served as a legal advisor to the Constitutional Court.

Ahmet Prençi comes to his position as Commissioner after scientific training in several universities and a long and successful career in the field of security, law enforcement and human rights. He has a degree in economics and law and has advanced studies in criminal justice and senior police management. His career has evolved from crime investigation tasks in the local Prosecution Offices and then in several leading positions in the State Police to that of the General Director. Before taking office as Commissioner of the People's Advocate, Mr Prençi served as an advisor in the Ministry of Interior, Director of Tax Investigation at HIDAA, lecturer and civil society expert.

The Ombudsman team welcomes the two new commissioners and wishes them success in fulfilling their important mandates!