DURA, HEBRON, October 5, 2016 (WAFA) - The Palestinian Authority and the European Union (EU) laid on Tuesday the cornerstone of the new Dura courthouse in Hebron, according to an EU press release.

The new 5000 square meters courthouse, which is part of a comprehensive program of support to the Palestinian justice sector, will serve thousands of Palestinians living in Dura and surrounding communities, said the EU.

“This project will improve the quality of the judicial services and enhance the working environment for Palestinian judges and lawyers to better serve Palestinian citizens,” said the statement.

The program also includes projects that promote the establishment of sustainable national mechanisms for legal aid, institutional reforms and capacity building to the High Judicial Council, legal education through the Palestinian Bar Association, the Palestinian Judicial Institute and Palestinian universities, as well as the supply of furniture and equipment for four courthouses.

"Rule of law and democracy are founding principles of the European Union and, as an independent judiciary is a tenet of democratic systems, there is growing evidence that fair and effective justice are crucial enablers of economic development and prosperity,‘‘ said the EU Head of Cooperation Alessandra Viezzer at the ceremony.

‘‘In Palestine, the support to the justice sector further complements our vision of the two-state solution and support to building a future democratic, transparent and accountable Palestinian State. The EU has been investing 28 million euros in the justice sector to improve the quality of its services to the Palestinian people,‘‘ she added.

The event was attended by the EU Head of Cooperation, the Head of High Judicial Council, Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance and Planning, Minister of Public Works, and the General Attorney.

In addition to the new Dura courthouse, the EU has been supporting the construction and equipment of new courthouses in Qalqiliya, Salfeet, and the expansion of Jenin courthouse. The new courthouses are designed based on the international standards for courthouses to provide the necessary infrastructure needed to facilitate and boost the justice sector.

M.A.