To Develop a National Vision of the Justice Sector in Palestine
Jericho, 27 February 2009 – In four extensive sessions held over Thursday and Friday, 26 and 27 February 2009, committees established by Palestinian civil society organisations discussed and examined conclusions reached by Palestinian technical teams, which had been assigned to develop a vision of the role and problems encountered by the justice sector institutions in Palestine. To serve the public interest, committees have devised solutions and recommendations, which will enhance the performance of official and subsidiary justice facilities.
Culminating a relentless effort made over an entire year, technical teams working on this activity have comprised the Judicial Authority, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Bar Association, faculties of law, legal community, and civil society organisations concerned with the justice sector. These teams have well diagnosed weaknesses impeding the performance of the justice sector as well as came up with relevant solutions.
Over 40 representatives of respective civil society organisations and educational institutions took part in the event. These included the Palestinian Bar Association, faculties of law, as well as other proficient civil society actors.
To be developed by relevant organisations, a final version of a document on the vision of the role played by the justice sector institutions as well as the methods necessary to enhance their operation will be produced within a week. Organisations taking part in the event have also agreed on a series of procedures to realise the prospective vision. Of these, proposals to be adopted by competent authorities will be examined and respective decisions made thereon.
It should be noted that the foregoing event was sponsored by the Initiative on Judicial Independence and Human Dignity (KARAMAH) at the Institute of Law, Birzeit University. KARAMAH is a project implemented in partnership with the Faculty of Law at Windsor University in Canada. It also benefits from financial support provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
