Palestinians promise legal, judicial reforms at London summit News
Palestinians promise legal, judicial reforms at London summit

[JURIST] Attending an international one-day summit in London Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas committed the Palestinian Authority to a range of legal and judicial reforms deemed necessary for the eventual creation of an independent Palestinian state. The reforms, set out in the final summit report [UK FCO text, PDF], include:

  • passing a new electoral law to ensure the fair and democratic elections of Palestinian leaders, tentatively scheduled for July 15, 2005
  • abolishing State Security Courts
  • amending and implementing the Judicial Authority Law; and
  • setting up a system of local civil and criminal courts to handle the everyday needs of an independent nation.

Watch recorded video of closing remarks [official webcast] at the summit by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who hosted the meeting. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has more.

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