RAMALLAH, November 19, 2009 (WAFA)- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs, European Commission and EUPOL COPPS. The MoU paves the way for the implementation of a project, led by the Ministry of Social Affairs, which consists in the elaboration of a Technical Assessment Report on Juvenile Justice, followed by a National Plan for Juvenile Justice.

The Technical Assessment Report on Juvenile Justice, funded by the European Union, aims to identify the gaps in all Palestinian Authority (PA) institutions that deal with juveniles and the law, including training and equipment needs.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will invite in the near future all relevant PA institutions, NGOs and governmental bodies to participate in the elaboration of a National Plan for Juvenile Justice.

Based on the Assessment and the National Plan, future projects will be designed to improve compliance with national and international standards on the Rights of the Child, in support of juveniles who come into contact with the law, and of PA institutions to enhance cooperation in criminal cases where minors are involved.

On the signing Christoph Lukits, Head of the Rule of law Section of EUPOL COPPS, said: “Many young Palestinians come into contact with the police and justice institutions, either as victims, witnesses or perpetrators of a crime. There are many deficiencies in the current Criminal Justice System with respect to minors that need to be addressed. For example, currently, due to lack of adequate facilities and transport, juveniles are regularly held in detention in adult prisons.

 “50 percent of the Palestinian population is below 18 years old. They are the future of Palestine and a vulnerable group whose problems should, at all stages, be dealt with by experts in dealing with their problems”.