Assessing Albanian national framework on Rome Statute obligations

• In Event: Atrocity Crimes: New Approaches in the Analysis and Teaching of Atrocity Crimes (ECACTJ)

Abstract

Albania signed the Rome Statute in 1998 and formally ratified it through legislation in 2002. The heinous acts committed in the 1990s in nearby Yugoslav regions, particularly in Kosovo, inhabited by Albanians, played a pivotal role in garnering full Albanian support for international justice mechanisms. Additionally, Albania's involvement in post-conflict reconstruction efforts in war-torn areas like Afghanistan and Iraq, as part of UN, NATO, and EU peacekeeping forces, has stimulated discussions within Albania regarding international crimes and the pursuit of international criminal justice.
Given the country's commitment, this article seeks to assess Albania's national framework concerning Rome Statute obligations conducting a comprehensive review on status of ratification/acceptance of amendments to the Statute, complementarity legislation and mechanisms as well as cooperation agreements. This review will identify areas where action is needed, to serve as recommendations for the Albanian policy makers and to fill the gap resulting from the lack of a periodic review process.

Keywords: Albania, international crimes, Rome Statute, ICC, complementarity, cooperation

Author

• Alba Gerdeci, Epoka University