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KOMITETI SHQIPTAR I HELSINKIT
ALBANIAN HELSINKI COMMITTEE
RR. Sami Frashλri, Pall. 20/1, Hyrja B, Ap. 21, Tirana - ALBANIA
Tel-Fax: ++ 355 42 336 71/40891 e-mail: helsinki@ngo.org.al


SUBJECT : MONITORING OF PRISON'S HOSPITAL REGARDING PRISONERS IN STARVATION STRIKE

On 23 January 2001, a group of activists of the AHC carried out a monitoring in the prison's hospital. The object of this monitoring was the situation of prisoner Sali Lushaj who had been in a starvation strike for 14 days.

At firs, our group of monitors met the authorities in prison's hospital where they got information on the general situation of this hospital. A considerable number of patients were observed in this hospital.

During this mission Mr. Sali Lushaj as well as Mr. Dem Dollapi and Mr. Vlash Ndoi were interviewed. The three of them were in the starvation strike. During this interview Mr. Lushaj and Mr. Dollapi claimed to be imprisoned on political grounds and they pointed out the procrastination of the legal processes towards these persons. Thus Mr. Dollapi was arrested in July 2000 and claimed that since 12 December 2000, date which was the deadline when previous decision finished, is kept without court's or prosecutor's decision.

Regarding Mr. Sali Lushaj, he did not complain on any possible maltreatment. During the interview he stated that he was arrested on 29 September 2000. Accused of being part of the events of 14 February 1998 he considers himself a political prisoner. Regarding the accusation he emphasized that in his case too procrastination of the process was very evident. He also pointed out that all legal deadlines are violated.

Mr. Vlash Ndoi said that he was wrongly condemned by the Court of Mirdita and he had addressed his appeal to the competent organs. He pointed out the fact that the Minister himself has met him and Mr. Ndoi informed him on the case but he states that he has received no reply up to this moment. Therefore he is determined to continue his starvation strike till death.

The common thing which is observed in all these cases is the procrastination of the processes against the accused. The AHC points out that it does not consider as its responsibility to investigate the cases but this is the duty of the competent organs to strictly respect all the legal deadlines within the reasonable limits. AHC observes that these are not isolated cases and the procrastination of the procedures is a problem which is often observed and this constitutes a violation of the accused persons. AHC requires that the above-mentioned cases should be treated with seriousness as well as to consider this issue in general which has to with human rights sanctioned in the Constitution.

24.01.2001