Brussels, 06/05/2013 (Agence Europe) One of the oldest operations undertaken by the EU as part of the common security and defence policy (CSDP) - EUPOL COPPS, the police and rule of law mission for the Palestinian authorities - has provided training for over 2,000 police officers and 125 judges from Palestine. The benefits of the mission are clear for two Palestinian officials currently visiting Brussels - the civil population in the West Bank has more trust in the justice system and in the police.
The principle of accountability, transparency, the implementation of a complaints department, and the respect of human rights are a few examples mentioned by Loay Irziqat, from the Palestinian civil police, during a press conference in Brussels on Friday 3 May to bear witness to the progress accomplished in the West Bank - thanks to the support of EUPOL COPPS. “We have been able to establish a strong and good police service”, he stated. The same would go for the criminal justice system, in the view of Eman Jamoos from the Palestinian High Judicial Council.
After more than seven years in existence, has the EU mission therefore reached all its objectives? On one hand, as evidence of success, Irziqat said that the judicial police in the West Bank - which is the headquarters of EUPOL COPPS and its 70 European members and 41 offices - was ready to take over from Hamas in the Gaza Strip if the occasion arose. On the other hand, despite signs of progress, the security service in the West Bank is still being developed and the support of the EU mission is still needed, said EUPOL COPPS head of mission, Kenneth Deane. More and more crimes are reported and detected, just as the number of complaints and files lodged with the justice system continues to grow. This is a good sign, Deane commented, because rather than illustrating a growing number of crimes, it shows a relationship of trust is taking root between the population and the administration. (JK/transl.fl)