4/4/2021 The Palestinian Center for Democracy ……
In an opening address, Mr. Abu Hjair welcomed those present, confirming that this course targets police investigation officers with the aim of raising the standard of the police staff on the legal side, particularly in the field of juveniles and of dealing with them from the legal angle.
Abu Hjair praised the Palestinian police for forming a juveniles police unit, given its importance, adding that juveniles are merely victims and not offenders and that they reach this state as a result of the poor social conditions they live in.
The deputy director of the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution said that the Centre stands beside the police and supports them, explaining the scale of the challenges the police and society are going through as a result of the siege and the division, adding that our duty towards you is to offer advice and guidance, and our role is complementary in support and assistance alongside the role of oversight and criticism on the other hand.
In an address, Major General Al-Batsh welcomed those present and offered thanks to the Palestinian Center for this distinctive and purposeful course, valuing the Centre's role in following up many of the issues that concern the Palestinian citizen.
Al-Batsh said: "Children are the hope of the country and the future. If their situation and behaviour are settled and they grow up normally, away from misdemeanours and offences, they will make a sound society."
Al-Batsh stressed that Palestinian society is marked by a character of commitment and discipline despite the circumstances surrounding the Strip.
Major General Al-Batsh explained that dealing with minors and children differs from dealing with adults, since they must have a dedicated law governing their offences, noting that the police work on dealing with them in a particular way and on forming dedicated courts for them.
He said: "We look forward to forming a dedicated investigation team that investigates juveniles according to characteristics suited to them and brings them before the judiciary in accordance with the law, away from the principles and regulations for dealing with adults."
In an address, Al-Baytar said: "This course is attended by an integrated team from the police and behaviour officers, in addition to the Al-Rabee juveniles institution", explaining that there is a great response from the police on many issues concerning juveniles.
Al-Baytar confirmed that these children are victims as a result of the circumstances surrounding them and that they must not be treated as criminals.
For his part, the head of the legal department at the Palestinian Center, Mr. Younis Al-Tahrawi, explained that the course runs for four days at 4 hours a day: on the first day on the law of penal procedure, from documentation to questioning; on the second day on criminal responsibility, the laws relating to juveniles and the circulars issued by the attorney general.
He added that on the third day we will look at the Palestinian child law and devote time to the mechanisms of protection and the methods of dealing with juveniles socially and psychologically, and the fourth and last day will be on the mechanisms of coordination and networking among the juvenile justice bodies, with practical group work.
