Albanian Helsinki Committee

The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC), founded in 1990, was the first human rights organization established in Albania. The AHC monitors respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, works toward the reinstatement of rights that have been violated, provides specific recommendations for the improvement of legislation and law enforcement, and raises citizen awareness about human rights. The AHC considers part of its mission to increase the capacity and accountability of state agencies. Focus areas of AHC’s work include the right to a fair trial and access to justice, the rights of ethnic minorities, with a special focus on the rights of the Roma minority and the Egyptian community in Albania, the rights of persons deprived of their liberty, with a special focus on juveniles and women in the penitentiary system, and the rights of vulnerable groups, including children and persons with disabilities.