Hebron University Signs Partnership Agreement with Terre des Hommes Foundation, Switzerland

Hebron, 18 June 2012-- Hebron University's signed partnership agreement with Terre des Hommes (TdH) Foundation, Lausanne, Switzerland, to jointly implement a three-year project on juvenile justice system in Palestine. The President of Hebron University Dr. Samir Abuznaid and TdH Country Delegate in Palestine Mr. Salvatore Grungo signed the agreement in the University campus. The project will be implemented by TdH and the Legal Clinic of Hebron University in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Defense Children International, with the involvement of juvenile justice actors, including judges, prosecutors, police, probation officers, Ministry of Education and non-governmental organizations.

 

The Project, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Access to Justice Programme, is entitled “Project to Increase the Respect of Children in Conflict with the Law’s Rights at all Stages of the Juvenile Justice System 2011-2014 in the Hebron Governorate”. The aim of the project is to contribute to the building of a functioning and efficient Juvenile Justice System in Palestine. The general objective is that children at risk or in conflict with the law have their rights respected at all stages of the informal and formal juvenile system. One of the specific objectives of this project is to improve the legal assistance provided to the juveniles in conflict with the law with the increased involvement of probation officers from the police stage through investigation to detention and rehabilitation.

 

The project takes place in the Hebron District as a pilot area, selected to develop a model of intervention and of best practices that might be extended to other Palestinian districts at later stage. Hebron University through the Legal Clinic and TdH are aimed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the functioning of the existing Juvenile Justice system and its services by organising training courses, workshops and public events on issues relating to the juvenile justice system, and enabling new graduate law students to provide legal assistance to children in conflict with the law or children victims, strengthening the law graduates' practical skills and setting up sustainable interaction with the probation officers.

 

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mutaz Qafisheh, Professor of Law and Director of the Legal Clinic in Hebron University, Mr. Naim Daour, Director of the Hebron University President Office, and Mr. Hendam Rjoub, Researcher in the Legal Clinic of Hebron University, as well as Ms. Sylvie Roquain, TdH Juvenile Justice Project Manager.