Project profile — Support to Public Prosecution Services

This project aims to promote a fair and effective criminal justice system that protects the human rights of Palestinians and supports the stability and democratic development of the Palestinian Authority. CIDA’s contribution is being used to enhance the managerial, organizational, operational, and professional capacity of the Office of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service in the West Bank. By providing equipment that meets basic operational needs, delivering professional legal training, and establishing several specialized internal units, CIDA is helping the Palestinian Authority undertake justice sector institutional reforms that enhance accountability and accessibility, while ensuring respect for human rights and the promotion of gender equality. CIDA is working with the Department of Justice Canada for the delivery of legal and professional training as well as technical assistance and with UNOPS for the procurement of goods and services.

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Results achieved as of March 2013 include: the refurbishment of a building to house the headquarters of the Office of the Attorney General and Public Prosecution was completed; a process to procure office furniture and equipment for seven district public prosecution offices was finalized; a website hosted by the Office of the Attorney General and a secure internet mail system was launched; in Jordan, 104 prosecutors received a two-week foundational training course, which was developed by senior Canadian prosecutors, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and Public Prosecution; 53 prosecutors also participated in a gender workshop. A survey conducted in 2011 showed improvement in the public trust towards the criminal justice system, with 39 percent of members of the public involved in court proceedings expressing trust in the prosecution service, compared to 31.7 percent in 2008-09; 48.5 percent of judges and lawyers believe that prosecutors have a good or excellent knowledge of the law. These results are contributing to promoting a fair and effective criminal justice system that protects the human rights of Palestinians.