RAMALLAH, March 6, 2012 (WAFA) - Five senior Justice Ministry officials participated in a capacity-building study trip to Germany to enhance their capabilities on how a modern ministry of justice should work and function, a EUPOL COPPS press release said Tuesday.

The Palestinian delegation met officials from German Ministry of Justice in Berlin, judges, defense counsel and the Director for Foreign and International Criminal Law of the Max-Planck Institute.

The program also included meetings with a representative of the Prosecution’s Office and a visit to a juvenile prison and the Federal Council. The focus was on legislative reform priorities identified by the Palestinian Ministry of Justice.

The participants discussed with their German counterparts issues relating to the organization and structure of the German Ministry of Justice, gender mainstreaming, legislative and administrative policies, international cooperation, prison oversight and coordination between German Ministry of Justice and other judicial institutions.

During the workshop, which was coordinated by EUPOL COPPS Rule of Law section, the parties agreed to maintain contacts on several areas of mutual interest.

Moreover, the representative from the Max-Planck Institute accepted the invitation made by the Palestinian delegation to provide further technical assistance on the drafting of the new Penal Code and sending experts and/or hosting workshops for the Palestinian delegation composed of National Legal Drafting Committee members in their facilities in Freiburg, Germany.

The six-day study trip was funded by UNDP and Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX), an instrument introduced by the EU to deliver aid through programs and projects across the world.

M.S.