Ref. Ares(2016)253541 – 18/01/2016
Press Release
Jerusalem
18 Jan 2016
The Palestinian Authority and the European Union celebrate the inauguration of eight new community police stations
18 Jan 2016
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, the EU Representative Ralph Tarraf, and the German Representative Peter Beerweerth inaugurated today the new community police station in Aqraba town near Nablus. This station is one of eight new community police stations in the West Bank that were constructed through an EU funded project implemented by the GIZ. The eight new stations were all handed over to the Palestinian Civil Police and they serve now thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Chief of Police, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Housing, Nablus Governor, Aqraba Mayor, Heads of Palestinian Security forces in Nablus governorate, and representatives of the local community.
The European Union provided EUR 6 million for the construction of the Community Police Stations within the framework of its support to the security and the rule of law sectors. Eight new community police stations were constructed in Aqraba, Aseera Al-shamalyia, Tammoun, Kufr Zbeidat, Al-Obeidiya, Saeer, Al-thahirya and Ithna. The project was implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The project provides support to the Palestinian Authority to build democratic institutions in the security sector and help the Palestinian Civil Police improve its services while respecting human rights. The EU supports the Palestinian civil police based on principles of the rule of law and in line with international standards of professionalism and accountability. The standardized Community Police Stations will allow the police to have a stronger presence within its communities and the necessary infrastructure and logistical requirements for routine, citizen-oriented, professional police work in its areas of responsibility.
"Our support to the construction of community police stations is in line with our strategic support to the rule of law sector. These infrastructures are the backbone of the rule of law: a cornerstone of a future democratic and viable Palestinian state. This is yet another evidence, if ever needed, of our full commitment to the two-State solution." Ralph Tarraf, EU Representative said at the opening ceremony. "Community Police is important. It is meant to give a sense of safety and ownership to the Palestinian people even under the difficult reality. The EU is and will continue to support the Palestinian police in building an effective police force able to uphold the rule of law and deliver a high quality service to the Palestinian people."
During the last five years, the European Union has invested more than 30 million Euros in support of the Justice and Security Sectors, through a balanced mix of construction, equipment and capacity building projects. This adds up to the individual contributions of EU Member States and the valuable work of the EUPOLCOPPS Mission.
Contacts:
The Office of the European Union Representative
Shadi Othman (02 5415 867, 0599 673 958)
Document Type: Press Release
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Assistance, Governance, Security issues
Publication Date: 18/01/2016