Former Security files archive Former Security files archive The Albanian state Authority for Information on the Previous Sigurimi files (AIDSSH), has applied for funding to carry out an intervention for the Reconstruction of Authority building and ICT services to establish an integrated and modern archive, which will last for two years (May 2019-May 2020). The funding requested amounts to 10 MSEK, to be disbursed through a first instalment of 6MSEK in 2019 and a second one of 4MSEK in 2020.

 The proposed intervention aims to enable AIDSH to consolidate into a single archive all documents produced by the Sigurimi and other sources and setting the grounds for digitalization of the files for easier and quicker use by the interested parties. This will preserve the information included in the files and secure their use for the current and future generations to build evidence -based knowledge about the authoritarian past of the country and the negative long-lasting effects of dictatorships on individuals and society. The intervention will support the work of the Authority for educating Albanian citizens with the values of democratic societies as opposed to authoritarian  regimes.

This will be done by:
1. Reconstructing, rehabilitating and refurbishing the AIDSSH premises in order to make them fit for their purpose. The reconstructed building should have the necessary infrastructure to enable the transfer of all Sigurimi documents into a single and integrated archive. Further, it should have the space, including surroundings, to allow for the exercise of the daily activities for the Authority staff and broader public access for individuals, academic institutions, researchers and media.
2. Installing the necessary ICT infrastructure, such as the network, data storage equipment, and relevant application for enabling high quality data processing. This will facilitate decision-making based on relevant and reliable data and information about the documents of former state security services and supporting the right of every citizen, institution, researcher and media representative to be informed about the documents of the former State Security Services through a transparent process that protects the personality of the individual.

 The intervention will be implemented as a direct funding into the account of AIDSSH. Sida is the only donor to the project. However, AIDSSH has already carried out preliminary   improvements in their office infrastructure through the Government of Albania funding, amounting to 25 MALL or the equivalent of 2 MSEK. Den albanska statliga myndigheten för information om de tidigare Sigurimi-filerna (AIDSSH), har ansökt om finansiering för genomförande av en intervention för återuppbyggnad av myndighetsbyggnad och IKT-tjänster för att etablera ett integrerat och modernt arkiv, som kommer att vara under två år (Maj 2019 – Maj 2020). Finansiering har begärts med ett belopp som uppgår till 10 miljoner SEK, som ska utbetalas genom en första delbetalning om 6 miljoner SEK under 2019 och en andra delbetalning om 4 miljoner SEK under 2020.
Föreslagen intervention har till ändamål att möjliggöra för AIDSH att i ett enda arkiv konsolidera samtliga handlingar som upprättats av Sigurimi samt andra källor och att lägga grunden för digitalisering av filerna för en mer enkel och snabb användning av berörda parter. Detta kommer att bevara den information som omfattas av filerna och säkra deras användning för befintliga och framtida generationer för att öka den evidensbaserade kunskapen om landets auktoritära förflutna och diktaturers negativa och långvariga effekter på enskilda personer och samhället. Interventionen kommer att stödja myndighetens arbete med att utbilda albanska medborgare i demokratiska samhällens värderingar till skillnad från auktoritära regimer.

Detta kommer att göras genom:
1. Att återuppbygga, återanpassa samt renovera AIDSSH:s anläggningar i syfte att göra dessa ändamålsenliga. Den återuppbyggda byggnaden bör ha den infrastruktur som är nödvändig för att föra över samtliga Siguirimi filer till ett enda och integrerat arkiv.

Vidare bör den ha det utrymme, inklusive angränsande områden, som gör det möjligt för myndighetspersonal att utöva sin dagliga verksamhet och som möjliggör bättre tillgång för allmänheten såvitt avser enskilda personer, akademiska institutioner, forskare och media.
2. Att installera den IKT-infrastruktur som är nödvändig, såsom nätverk, datalagringsutrustning, och relevanta program för möjliggörande av
högkvalitativ databehandling. Detta kommer att förenkla beslutsfattande som baseras på relevant och tillförlitlig data och information om handlingarna som tillhör den tidigare statliga säkerhetstjänsten samt stöttande av varje medborgares, institutions, forskares och medieföreträdares rätt att informeras om handlingarna som tillhör den tidigare statliga säkerhetstjänsten genom en transparent process som skyddar den enskilde personens integritet.
Interventionen kommer att implementeras i form av en direkt finansiering till AIDSSH:s konto. Sida är den enda donatorn i projektet. AIDSSH har emellertid redan genomfört preliminära förbättringar i sin kontorsinfrastruktur genom finansiering från Albaniens regering, som uppgår till 25 miljoner ALL eller motsvarande 2 miljoner SEK. The Authority aims to consolidate into a single archive all documents produced by the Sigurimi in order to provide orderly access to the information on file in keeping with the provisions of the law; conduct research, develop educational courses and curricula, and engage with the public through strategic communication; as well as screen individuals that seek public office for ties with the former state security service.
Based on the above goal of the Authority, the objectives of the proposed intervention are:
1. Reconstruction, rehabilitation and refurbishment of the existing building in order to make it functional. The reconstructed building should have the necessary infrastructure to enable the transfer of all Sigurimi documents into a single and integrated archive. Further, it should have the space, including surroundings, to allow for the exercise of the daily activities for the Authority staff and public access. This latter aspect is important in order to enhance interaction, communication, and mutual planning among staff and between staff, public and all other beneficiaries (academic institutions, researchers and media).
2. Installation of necessary ICT infrastructure, such as the network, data storage equipment, and relevant application in order to provide a high quality of data processing. It will facilitate decision-making based on relevant and reliable data and information about the documents of former state security services and supporting the right of every citizen, institution, researcher and media representative to be informed about the documents of the former State Security Services through a democratic and transparent process, the protection of the personality of the individual and also the unity of national harmony.
The establishment of a well-preserved and digitalised archive constitutes the basis for the Authority to carry out successfully its mission of documenting the crimes of the communist regime, support previously persecuted individuals and victims, including their families with information about their cases and the whereabouts of their graves, and support vetting of officials to prevent previous persecutors from gaining public office in a democratic government. All the remembrance and education activities that the AIDSSH intends to conduct can only be developed based on the information from the archive. While they are meant to primarily pay tribute to the victims of the past, at the same time they are oriented towards educating the public and especially the young generations with respect for Human Rights, justice and tolerance, as integral features of all democratic societies.The intervention is expected to contribute in ensuring the longevity of an important part of the Albanian National Heritage.