EUPOL COPPS: EU Police and Rule of Law Mission for the occupied Palestinian territory - Civilian mission

30.11.2020

EUPOL COPPS assists the Palestinian Authority in building its institutions focused on security and justice sector reforms. This is carried out under Palestinian ownership and in accordance with European and international standards. Ultimately, the Mission’s objective is to improve the safety and security of the Palestinian people.

 

Background

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the world’s longest standing. The EU’s objective is a two-state solution with an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel and its other neighbours in peace and stability. To achieve this objective, the EU deploys a number of tools in the occupied Palestinian territory, including projects to enhance infrastructure, education, human development and entrepreneurship.

One of the most important elements in any society is the rule of law and the obligations that stem from it, including respect for human rights and accountable and trusted law enforcement and justice institutions. It is in this context that the Member States of the EU decided to launch EUPOL COPPS in 2006. Initially purely a police mission, support for capacity building in Palestinian institutions in the field of criminal justice was added to the Mission’s mandate in 2008.

Two police officers in front of the car, one of them pointing and the other talking on the radio

Mission & goals

EUPOL COPPS assists the Palestinian Authority in building its institutions focused on security and justice sector reforms. This is carried out under Palestinian ownership and in accordance with European and international standards. Ultimately, the Mission’s objective is to improve the safety and security of the Palestinian people.

EUPOL COPPS has the following tasks:

  • Support the reform and development of the Palestinian Civil Police;
  • Strengthen and support the Palestinian Criminal Justice System;
  • Improve Prosecution-Police cooperation;
  • Coordinate and facilitate external donor assistance to the Palestinian Civil Police.

EUPOL COPPS is dedicated to integrating human rights and gender considerations into all of its activities, both while working with our Palestinian counterparts as well as within the Mission.

Women talking

Composition

EUPOL COPPS has 106 staff positions, 71 of which are filled by international staff members, and 35 by Palestinians. Most of the international staff members are seconded from the law enforcement and justice institutions of the EU’s member states. Staff can also be seconded from non-EU countries that the Mission has agreements with, such as Canada and Norway.

 

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