The Website of the Committee of Nationwide Reconciliation (CNR) indicates that each case of blood feud reconciliation is followed with the help of archived folders, although it does not specify the content, purpose or length of time it keeps such folders (n.d.).

The following list of organizations working in the area of blood feud reconciliation, the places where they operate and the names of their leaders appear on the Website of the CNR:

Foundation for Resolving the Conflicts => Tirana > Rasim Gjoka

Foundation Peace and Justice (Catholic church) => Shkodra > Angelo Massafra.

Foundation League of Peace Missionaries => Shkodra > Emin Spahia

"Reconciliation Mission Mother Teresa" => Shkodra > Gjin Mekshi

"Association of Peace Missionaries" => Shkodra > Mustafa Daija

"Mission of Nationwide Reconciliation" => Shkodra > Fran Lleshi

"Association of Mothers with Orphans" => Puka > Jorgjie Dodani

"BESA Association" => Puka > Nikoll Lleshi (n.d.).

Catholic Relief Services, "the official international relief and development agency of the US Catholic community" (2005a), indicates that there is a Peace and Justice Commission in Shkodra that has been active for "several years" in "conduct[ing] seminars and workshops to teach conflict resolution to youth" (2005b). Country Reports 2004 mentions only two organizations that are working in the sector of blood feud reconciliation, namely the CNR and an association called Peace Missionaries League (28 Feb. 2005 Sec. 1a). For further information on both organizations, including their founding dates, please consult ALB43380.E of 10 March 2005.

No additional information on blood feud reconciliation committees could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Committee of Nationwide Reconciliation (CNR). n.d.. "Republic of Albania: Committee of Nationwide Reconciliation." http://www.pajtimi.com/index.php?faqe=rrethneshang [Accessed 21 March 2005]

Catholic Relief Services. 2005a. "About us." http://www.catholicrelief.org/about_us/who_we_are/index.cfm [Accessed 25 March 2005]

_____. 2005b. "Shkodër Peace and Justice Center." http://www.catholicrelief.org/our_work/where_we_work/overseas/eastern_europe_&_the_caucasus/albania/peace.cfm [Accessed 22 March 2005]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004. 28 February 2005. "Albania." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41666.htm [Accessed 7 March 2005]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: The Committee of Nationwide Reconciliation, the Albanian Human Rights Group, the Albanian Foundation for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation of Disputes (CRRD) and MJAFT! did not provide information within the time constraints of this Response.

Internet sites, including: Albanian Helsinki Committee, Albanian Human Rights Group, Balkan Human Rights Network, The Balkan Human Rights Web Pages, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2004, European Forum for Victim-Offender Mediation and Restorative Justice, Ministry of Public Order of Albania, MJAFT!, The Open Society Foundation for Albania - SOROS, UNDP Albania.