Civil Society Organizations Discussing A National Vision Mechanisms for the Justice Sector in Palestine

Ramallah- An expanded meeting was held on Tuesday May13, 2008 at The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights (PICCR) and was attended by Civil Society Organizations and national actors on the justice sector. CSO representatives, deans and professors of law in Najah University, Arab American University, Al-Quds University and Birzeit University, as well as National figures and ex- ministers took part in the meeting in addition to PICCR representatives.

In the meeting, a national vision of the justice sector in Palestine was presented, along with a planning mechanism that guarantees a role for all players in its processing. Attendants discussed the ways to advance this objective in their work and the work of other justice sector organizations. The involved broad lines of a vision to advance the Justice Sector in Palestine, when all concerned parties adopt their roles. 

While participants assured the necessity of  involving CSOs and Academic organizations in the planning process of the justice sector, they proposed a partnership between Justice Formal Organizations and civil organizations in order to put into action a national plan with clear goals and mechanisms within an extensive vision for the justice sector. Also, they noted that such must  consider the desired Palestinian state in the reform process of the justice sector.

Although participants had affirmed the significance and centralism of judiciary independence, they mentioned the need to interpret this independence to lead to an open relation with other Justice sector organizations and the public.

The participants agreed that it was necessary to continue looking at the policy making level as well as the technical level in developing common Palestinian vision for the justice sector. This vision should empower justice organizations to pursue justice, all within a national liberal framework.