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At EUPOL COPPS Human Rights Day is every day
Accountable justice and security sector institutions are key for upholding international human rights and the rule of law. “As EUPOL COPPS we are committed to putting human rights at the forefront when supporting our Palestinian partners working in justice and security institutions”, says EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission, Karin Limdal, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, marking this 10 December the 76th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A human rights-based approach applies to all EUPOL COPPS’s actions and activities in support of the Palestinian justice and security institutions. Whether by standardizing legal procedures, by clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the justice institutions, by partnering up with civil society when training security forces on the Convention against Torture, or by training officers of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centers on the Mandela Rules and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Mission aims to help build an effective and accountable Palestinian state apparatus. As such, EUPOL COPPS continues to intensify its capacity-building efforts, ensuring these principles translate into improved delivery of justice and security services for the Palestinian people. This reflects the Mission’s commitment to its Palestinian partners and to the broader society they serve. #HumanRightsDay #StandUp4HumanRights]
Building Bridges among key Palestinian criminal justice and civil society actors
Fostering cooperation and deepening mutual understanding among key Palestinian criminal justice stakeholders and civil society in view of the establishment of a functioning and sovereign Palestinian state is high on the EU agenda. This is why EUPOL COPPS on 3-5 December organised “Building Bridges in Bethlehem”, a three-day workshop aiming at creating a strategic network between Palestinian entities representing the whole criminal justice chain and other key social actors, playing a central role in promoting rule of law, stability, trust, and community cohesion. The Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), the Justice institutions (Courts and prosecutors), and essential partners such as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Palestinian Bar Association (PBA) and The Environment Quality Authority (EQA) participated in the event, in addition to several EU representatives. The sessions focused on targeted, cross-sectional discussions and provided deeper insights and understanding of how to fight back log problems across the criminal justice chain, increased knowledge of practices related to handling and management of criminal evidence at crime scenes, enhanced local investigative practices to investigating domestic violence cases, gave increased understanding of the environmental hazards and safety risks and improved understanding and practical application of Community Policing principles within the PCP and on ways to strengthening a sustainable partnerships between the PCP and Civil Society Organizations, resulting in coordinated efforts that support community safety and trust. Commenting on the need for inter-institutional cooperation along the criminal justice chain, Karin Limdal, Head of EUPOL COPPS, said during the inauguration of the event that “Police work is going nowhere without prosecution, courts, penitentiary, civil society and a legislative framework”. Brigadier Mohammad Tayyem, who represented Chief of Palestinian Civil Police, commended EUPOL COPPS efforts in organising the Bethlehem event which would contribute to “developing mechanisms for mutual cooperation and coordination” between the PCP and the other criminal justice sector institutions and to improve the services presented to the public in line with international standards. The PCP, judges, prosecutors, lawyers and CSOs, expressed their gratitude towards EUPOL COPPS and underlined that the workshop had contributed to building trust and knowledge within the criminal justice chain. They stressed that they are looking forward to transforming the insights and knowledge gained into actions and real mechanisms and asked for more cross-sectoral events like this. Within the framework of the EU action in Palestine, EUPOL COPPS plays a key role as a facilitator of cooperation and adviser on reforms within the security and justice sectors. As part of this mandate, EUPOL COPPS will continue to facilitate exchanges between criminal justice actors and civil society also in other West Bank districts, and share advice and knowledge to fostering stability, transparency, and community engagement.
EUPOL COPPS joins Palestinian police to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities
EUPOL COPPS Community Policing Advisers joined the Palestinian Civil Police to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to honour the resilience, contributions, and leadership of persons with disabilities, on 03 December in Jericho. The event, which serves as a reminder of collective commitment to promoting inclusivity, and creating equal opportunities for all, is meant to strengthen ties between the PCP and the public, especially the IDPD. Over 500 persons with disabilities from all Palestinian districts participated in the activity. EUPOL COPPS advisers, were side by side with their Palestinian counterparts and interacted in many informal conversations with the children and their parents.
Head of EUPOL COPPS says Palestine sets an example for adopting strategy to combat violence against women
“Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a global issue,” EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission, Karin Limdal told representatives of Palestinian institutions on the margines of 16 Days of Activism round-table dialogue on 28 November in Ramallah. Despite years of EUPOL COPPS work in Palestine, a legal framework for family protection from violence is still not in place. This gap remains a critical issue, which EUPOL COPPS consistently emphasises in meetings with the Palestinian counterparts, alongside the importance of increasing women’s participation. The event provided invaluable insights and an overview of the challenges in the field. The Family and Juvenile Protection Department of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) highlighted the challenges with movement restrictions, staffing shortages and the absence of a comprehensive legal framework. The Ministry of Social Development echoed similar concerns, noting that women would be more willing to seek justice if adequate legal and social protection were in place. However, social stigma and fear remain as major obstacles, as emphasised by the Female Lawyers Network. Judges from Sharia and Ecclesiastical courts added that legal pluralism complicates matters, as the Palestinian Authority lacks sovereignty in all areas. Challenges in the National Referral System, such as transferring GBV survivors, the high cost of legal fees compounded by limited free legal aid, further hinder access to justice. Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC) emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between Civil Society Organisations and the PCP to effectively address gaps in protecting women All participants agreed that it starts with a legal framework for protection as a fundamental pillar; to support closer coordination and cooperation; to institutionalise a rights-based approach as a praxis; to support the social services deliver adequate social protection and for Palestine to once again lead the way as the regional role model on women’s rights because Palestinian women deserve the protection of the law.
EUPOL COPPS provides key support to Official Gazette Bureau
EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission, Karin Limdal, met with Reem Abu Alroub, the Head of the Official Gazette Bureau (The Diwan) and discussed several topics, including EUPOL COPPS’ support in improving the quality of legislation to strengthen the legal infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority (PA), on 28 November in Ramallah. The support of EUPOL COPPS in establishing the quality of legislation function within the organisational structure of the Diwan was recognised. The Mission’s support has resulted in accrediting a diploma course in the Istiqlal University in Jericho. Students from 15 of the 24 line ministries within the PA will attend the courses. The enabling of a gender function within the Diwan to mainstream gender throughout legislative drafting was also discussed. The HoM stated that EUPOL COPPS has and will continue to providing specialised training on different topics, including on the analysis and extraction of legal principles from judicial rulings. The recently amended Law of Service mas mentioned during the discussions. The HoM mentioned the importance of adopting the Family Protection Law. Ms. Abu Alroub said the newly established Gender Unit within the Diwan will significantly contribute to improving the alignment and harmonization of legislation and ensuring gender equality. The Diwan’s main objective is to contribute to strengthening the legal infrastructure of the PA through examining and reviewing proposed legislation and ensuring that legislation conforms to international standards. It contributes to harmonizing Palestinian legislation with relevant international conventions and human rights principles.
Help Hotline 106# a lifeline for the most vulnerable in Palestine
The Help Hotline 106# is a telephone service managed by the Family and Juvenile Protection Department (FJPD) of the Palestinian Civil Police (PCP), dedicated to callers, particularly women and children, seeking support and guidance if experiencing violence, threats, or abuse. While people at the other end of the line cannot file a formal report through the hotline, they are provided with information and referred to appropriate services for further assistance. Dedicated FJPD police officers receive phone calls from all Palestinian districts. The Help Hotline 106# is also a tool contributing to combat crime. To enable the FJPD police officers to further enhance their ability in managing the Help Hotline 106#, EUPOL COPPS expert, Anna Sanden, a Swedish Police Adviser specialised in Family and Juvenile Protection, conducted two workshops, one on 18 November and another one on 25 November in Ramallah. The workshop highlighted the Help Hotline 106# ‘critical role as the first point of contact for callers experiencing threats and domestic violence, or other form of violation. Ms Sanden who has a 23-year experience with the Swedish police, provided insights to Palestinian Help Hotline 106# dedicated staff, including district-level police officers, on how to further improve the management of calls related to violence and threats. Anna shared know-how on working on effective communication techniques, including active listening, showing empathy, and maintaining a calm and professional demeanor in potentially distressing situations The workshop focused on how important it is to handle this calls in structured manner and following clear procedures for risk assessment and documentation. UN Women, who funded Help Hotline 106#, supported the organisation of the workshop, unfolding during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence international campaign.
#NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women. A Palestinian prosecutor’s view
Alaa Hameda is a Palestinian prosecutor specialised in Family Protection and Juvenile cases. Originally from Hebron, Alaa currently works in Bethlehem. She has a PhD in International Law attained through a scholarship in Morocco, where she moved when already married and mother of two children, now 10 and 8 years old. Alaa is a member of the Palestinian Female Prosecution Network and has in the past participated in EUPOL COPPS activities. When discussing the challenges Alaa faces in her daily work at her office in Bethlehem, the dilemma between having to be professional while emotionally involved in cases concerning the most vulnerable in sociery, comes up. Alaa discloses how, as a woman and a mother, at times she could not sleep for weeks, when dealing with some situations. “I recently dealt with a case of a teenager’s girl, daughter of a separated couple, who left the mother’s house issuing a complaint against her to move in with her father. The minor was missing school. I listened to all parties and proceeded with investigations”. Alaa explains that instead of referring to the court she worked for two months on the case. “I assessed that nothing was wrong with the mother’s behavior. In the end subject matter experts assessed that the girl suffered from a disorder, possibly as a result of the parent’s separation”. As Alaa stresses, the ultimate goal for her was to help and support the girl, who now receives counselling and lives with the mother again. “Both parents agreed to share responsibility for the child education and wellbeing, says Alaa, adding: “I am very happy since I feel I succeeded to act in the best interest of a young girl”. The protection of women and girls is as every year marked in the framework of the annual, international 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, kicking off today, which also marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The campaign runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. When speaking to Alaa Hameda, GBV is also discussed, since in Palestine, as everywhere else, this gets worse during crisis and war. “GBV is more intense during war. Here in Palestine, among the consequences of war is the worsening of the economic situation, with so many now unemployed. In any case there is no excuse, this should not be used as justification” states Alaa. Indeed the 2024 theme for the campaign is: Every 11 Minutes, a woman is killed worldwide. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women. As every year, EUPOL COPPS joins the campaign with a focus on the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and the importance of prevention and protection from gender-based violence. #EndVAW #OrangeTheWorld #SayNoStopVAW #EndGBV
German delegation visits EUPOL COPPS
“Given what’s going on in this part of the world, our Palestinian counterparts, in the police and the justice sector have high expectations from our Mission,” EUPOL COPPS Head of Mission Karin Limdal told representatives of the German ministries of foreign affairs and interior visiting the Mission in Ramallah on 20 November. Ms Limdal explained how the Mission is working on further enhancing its support for the Palestinian counterparts despite the ongoing conflict in the region. Duty of care of personnel during the current unprecedented challenging times with the related worsening of the security situation in West Bank, security measures the Mission has in place and coordination of the international community’s support to the Palestinian Authority was discussed at the meeting. Ms. Limdal thanked the delegation for the significant contribution to the Mission of German experts, the second largest contingent in EUPOL COPPS after Sweden.
On International Men's Day EUPOL COPPS highlights contribution of men to society
International Men's Day (IMD) is a global awareness day encouraging positive expressions of masculinity and conversations about men’s health and their important role in advancing gender equality. With greater equality comes enhanced well-being of communities and society, which in turn results in improved educational outcomes, improved health, economic prosperity and sustainable peace. EUPOL COPPS marked the occasion highlighting the positive contributions men make to society and to promote gender equality, organising a thought-provoking discussion on leadership dynamics, gender roles, and the evolving perceptions of power on 19 November in Ramallah. During the discussions, led by the Mission’s Gender Advisor, questions posed to EUPOL COPPS male mission’s members focused on how gender stereotypes such as powerful, tough, dominant, strong, and aggressive, may affect behaviors in our Mission’s theatre. Challenges faced by men in the private domain and in the workplace, and how healthier views on masculinities and men may be promoted were also among the topics of discussion. Suggestions for redefining leadership and promoting positive masculinity, such as “Leadership should be fluid” “adaptable like water” “true strength lies in respect, balance, and the ability to share and manage emotions” and “embracing courage, moderation, and education can help foster healthier leadership” emerged as conclusions of the interactive Gender sensitive session.
Ensuring efficient and quick handling of law proceedings: EUPOL COPPS and EUAM Ukraine cooperate on Criminal Case Allocation
Criminal Case Allocation (CCA) is mainly about the methodologies, or the criteria used to distribute the criminal cases among the prosecutors within the Public Prosecution Office. EUPOL COPPS’ Senior Prosecution Adviser Elisabeth Trouve, from Sweden, shared about her experience on CCA in Sweden to Ukrainian colleagues by participating online in a workshop organised by EUAM Ukraine on 13 November. Fifteen prosecutors from the Office of Prosecutor General of Ukraine, two heads of local prosecution offices in addition five EUAM representatives attended the event that brought together several subject matters for discussions, including on the principle of the independence and impartiality of Prosecutors. The workshop aimed at strengthening the capacity of the prosecutorial services on effectiveness and efficiency through improving their organisational capacities in relation to the principle of the independence and impartiality of prosecutors, with a special focus on the Venice Commission Reports, GRECO’s recommendations and corruption prevention culture. GRECO is a Group of States against Corruption that was established in 1999 by the Council of Europe to monitor States’ compliance with the organization’s anti-corruption standards. The EUPOL COPPS expert contribution for the Ukrainian audience focused on CCA best practices, challenges and opportunities.