Mehdi Frashëri's contribution to the laws of the Albanian state (1914-1935)

• Pages: 164-172
• Date: 01 January 2021
• Published date: 01 January 2021
• Author: Valentina Hushi
• Subject Matter: Derecho Público y Administrativo

Vol. 5 No. 1

January, 2021

European Journal of Economics, Law and Social Sciences

IIPCCL Publishing, Graz-Austria

ISSN 2519-1284

Acces online at www.iipccl.org

164

Mehdi Frashëri's contribution to the laws of the Albanian state (1914-1935)

Valentina Hushi

Abstract

Mehdi Frashëri, during his political activity, had always expressed the conviction that the

Albanian state should undertake important reforms, especially in the eld of legislation. The

aim was unifying the law for the entire population, regardless of their religious beliefs, as well

as bringing it closer to Western legislation. It was the duty of the government to bring an end

to the consequences of the long Ooman occupation by giving Albania its rightful place in the

region and Europe. Reforms required willpower, cooperation, and sometimes even sacrice.

Keywords. Mehdi Frashëri, laws, dra laws, Legislative Draing Commission, State Council,

Civil and Criminal Code, Civil Procedure.

Introduction

Mehdi Frashëri during his political activity in Albania, 1913-1944, proved many times

that he was a zealous advocate of Western European civilization in all its aspects. In

his writings it was stated that the main cause of the centuries-old backwardness of

Albania was the centuries-old Ooman occupation, but not only. Unlike other Balkan

people, also conquered by the Ooman Empire, Albanians embraced the Islamic

religion by implementing all its principles in every area of life. This regressed Albania

by 5 centuries in comparison to European Civilization. One of the areas that lagged

far behind was that of legislation. The Ooman Empire arrived in Albania with an

outdated legal system. Other countries with Christian populations, once liberated

from the Oomans, easily became part of Western civilization because religion was a

unifying element. On the contrary, in Albania dierent religions had created dierent

mentalities and customs but above all dierent legislations. 1

Aer the secession from the Ooman Empire, the opinion that Albania had a complete

legal vacuum was also shared by the Great Powers, which declared that its state

organization could only be done at the level of the "European concert" 2. On July 29,

1913, during the Conference of Ambassadors, the International Control Commission

was set up, whose task it was to organise the Albanian state. The Commission arrived

in Albania in mid-October 1913 consisting of the representative of England, Mr. Lamb,

of Italy Mr. Leon, of Austro-Hungary Mr. Petrovich, and of Germany Mr. Wickel and

of Russia Mr. Petrajef 3. Mehdi Frashëri would also become part of it. This moment

would mark the beginning of his work in draing the important laws of the Albanian

state.

 1 Mehdi Frashëri, Problemet shqiptare , Tiranë: Plejad, 2006, f. 55.

 2 Arben Puto, Historia Diplomatike e çështjes Shqiptare 1878-1926, Tiranë: “Guttenberg”, 2010, f. 175.

 3 Përlindja e Shqipëniës, vjet’ i I, n.16, 21/4 vjesht’ e I, 1913, f. 4 “Delegatët e Komisiës së Kontrollit”.