Albania's majority approves seven bills on justice reform

Albania's left-wing majority approved during Thursday's parliamentary session seven draft laws, part of the package of 27 laws of justice reform, which is deemed crucial to the country's progress towards European Union membership.

The draft laws approved are the witness protection bill, changes to the code of criminal procedure, changes to the criminal code, the code on justice for minors, changes to the code of civil procedure, the bill on organizing and function of administrative courts, and the bill on organizing and function of the Ministry of Justice.

These seven legal acts relate to how the justice system functions and provides justice for citizens, according to majority MPs.

The majority passed the law with 88 votes, while the opposition continued to boycott the parliamentary works.

For the past one and a half month, the Albanian opposition has boycotted parliament and parliamentary committee meetings, and protested in front of Prime Minister's office.

The opposition demands the resignation of the Prime minister Edi Rama and the formation of a caretaker government as the only guarantee for holding free and fair elections on June 18.

In the meantime, the opposition parties have refused to register at the central election body for the by-mayoral elections of May 7 in Kavaja as well as the general elections of June 18, saying that the current government would manipulate the results.

Source: Xinhua