RAMALLAH, June 4, 2011 (WAFA) - The Palestinian deputy minister of justice, Khalil Karaja, and three senior staff members recently participated in a study-trip to London facilitated by EUPOL COPPS’ ministerial team to build cooperation between the Palestinian ministry and its international counterparts, according to an EUPOL COPPS press release published Friday.

The trip, supported financially by the British Consulate General in Jerusalem, included meetings with UK government ministers and officials to discuss experiences and future support for the Palestinian Authority in the field of justice. The visit focused on the UK experiences in legislative development and reform, penal policy, and community-based sentencing.

Under-Secretary for Justice Lord Crispin BLUNT emphasized the UK government’s support for a modern penal code complying with international human rights standards as an important aspect of building international support for a future Palestinian state.

The role of the UK minister of justice and his relationship with the chief justice in supporting the independence of the judiciary was also discussed.

The attorney general, Dominic Grieve, emphasized the British experiences of ensuring that prosecutors remain independent of any political interference.

This is ensured by the division of roles between him as an elected politician answerable to parliament for the functioning of the prosecution service, and the director of public prosecutions who is responsible for day-to-day running of prosecutions.

M.A.