Alternative ways to detention for debt was at the centre of a roundtable discussion involving representatives from Palestinian justice and enforcement institutions, hosted by EUPOL COPPS on 15 September in Ramallah.

The Participants agreed on the need for alternatives, especially given the current economic situation in Palestinian, which affects the number of debt related detentions. While an adequate legal framework is in place, there is manoeuvre space for possible improvement in terms of implementation, according to the attendees.

EUPOL COPPS advisors from Sweden shared the experience of the country’s model on debt collection. The discussions included improving access to reliable data, including through an integrated IT system linking enforcement judges with relevant institutions.

Proposals for alternative measures to detention included repayment by instalments, electronic auctions and payments, greater public awareness of debtors’ rights and obligations, and assessing borrowers’ ability to repay before loans are granted. Participants also discussed setting a minimum debt threshold for detention and releasing detainees who begin making repayments.

The group agreed to continue developing and accessing the proposed measures. An action plan supported by EUPOL COPPS is foreseen for the near future.