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OPT: EU-funded Seyada project hosts workshop for development of Palestinian Judicial Institute

Ramallah

The 'Seyada' Project' for Empowering the Palestinian Judicial System is supporting the development of the Palestinian Judicial Institute (PJI) in Ramallah, an important institution for the development of a better judicial system in Palestine.

The goal is to have a fully coordinated and effective judicial training for all key players in the Palestinian court system, including judges, public prosecutors, and staff.

'Seyada', funded by the European Union, is hosting a workshop for the PJI and the Palestinian legal community to design a future strategy and two- year curriculum for the Institute.

The workshop is being held on 20 April 2009 at Ankara's Suites Hotel, Ramallah.

The PJI strives to equip legal professionals employed in the court system with the same background in training and the same standards in understanding the law, jurisprudence and commentary literature.

'Seyada' program coordinator Judge Cornelis Blok said, "The European Commission has encouraged me to consider the development of the PJI as one of the most important targets for the Seyada project."

"We are optimistic that with all efforts of the key players combined we will succeed to have a highly respected and competent Palestinian Judicial Institute, which will deliver judges, public prosecutors and staff ready to work to the benefit of the Palestinian people," said Judge Blok.

The EU is committed to continue working with the PJI to further develop the institute into a full fledged judicial education school, by designing mentorship courses, creating weekly programs and promoting the continuous education for judicial trainers as part of the 2-year curriculum.

The next EU project, Seyada II, will begin in 2009 until 2012. The European Union will continue to assist and support the development of the Palestinian legal system and institutions.

Judge Assad Mubarak from Bethlehem, leading the workshop, was appointed director of PJI by President Mahmoud Abbas in May 2008.

"This workshop is important to get feed back from the legal elite of Palestine on our proposals for a two years curriculum. I am really looking forward to discuss this issue with so many experts. Based on their contribution we will fine tune the program and will implement it as soon as possible".

The Palestinian High Judicial Council selected 12 judges and Attorney General Ahmad Moghani selected 8 public prosecutors to be the core training group for PJI.

Seyada is supporting the development of the institute with various local and foreign experts for internal coordination and implementation of courses.

Seyada trained more than 50 assistant public prosecutors and assisted in the training of 28 judges, and conducted full training for 14 judges last year.

The EU budget for the 'Seyada' project is €3.7 million.

Since it began in December 2005, 'Seyada' has provided judicial training in the broadest sense for staff, judges, public prosecutors, and developed the Palestinian Judicial Institute in terms of internal regulations and organization and supporting the Institute with staff members, all of which meets the objectives of the "Justice Now" programme within the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan.

Media inquires please contact:

Tamer Maliha
Deputy Program Coordinator
Seyada - European Union Project
Empowering the Palestinian Judiciary
Irsal Str.,Kana'an Bldg.,Ramallah, Palestine
Email: tmaliha@epj.ps
Mobile: 0598954921
Tel: +970 (2) 297 6305
Fax: +970 (2) 297 6311