HOME Workshops Mutual Legal Assistance, Asset Recovery, Financial Management for NGOs and Financial Analysis

Mutual Legal Assistance, Asset Recovery, Financial Management for NGOs and Financial Analysis

Ramallah: Tuesday, 21 January 2014 ‒ The Institute of Law (IoL) at Birzeit University concluded a specialised training programme, targeting the Corruption Crimes Court judges.

This training was a component of the Anti-Corruption Capacity Building Assistance in Palestine Project, implemented in partnership and cooperation between the IoL, Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), High Judicial Council (HJC) and Public Prosecution.The project was designed to support Palestinian anti-corruption actors and provide capacity building to relevant staff. It included a series of specialised training workshops on the anti-corruption activity.

The training programme was culminated by two specialised training courses, which were tailored for the judges of the Corruption Crimes Court and other courts. The first training event on Mutual Legal Assistance, International Judicial Cooperation and Asset Recovery was delivered over two days. The training provided an overview of relevant regional and international conventions and treaties as well as domestic legislation on mutual legal assistance. The session also covered conditions of judicial delegation committees, asset freezing mechanisms, asset recovery processes, referral of evidence, and applications for access to information. The training further highlighted international judicial cooperation, including related international conventions, referral of the enforcement of court decisions, and referral of proceedings. A detailed explanation was given on tax-related agreements and extradition of criminals. Theoretical discussion was underpinned by relevant, informative case studies and practical applications.

The second training day on Financial Management for NGOs and Financial Analysis was an extension of earlier specialised trainings. It introduced the financial system, including financial statements used to detect financial irregularities and fraud. Participants came to understand the role of external auditing in uncovering these shortfalls. The training explored components of the financial system, including impact on valid financial statements. It also highlighted financial fraud detention tools as well as international and government auditing standards. Discussions were informed by illustrative case studies, practical applications and examples on principles of financial management for NGOs and financial analysis.

The Anti-Corruption Capacity Building Assistance in Palestine Project was implemented over the period from April through late January 2014. Tailored to promote accountability and fight corruption in Palestine, the project was part of a joint programme of the United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) and EUPOL COPPS.