8 November 2016 - The Palestinian Civil Police Forensic Science Laboratory, established with the assistance of UNODC, was officially inaugurated in Ramallah last week. The laboratory - which was supported by Canada and is the first of its kind in the State of Palestine - provides much needed assistance to the Palestinian criminal justice system. The new facility was inaugurated by David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, as part of his visit to the region, alongside Major General Hazem Atallah, Chief of the Palestinian Civil Police in representation of the Palestinian President.
The laboratory receives and examines forensic evidence and provides advice, reports and expert testimony to the judiciary and other clients in forensic document examination, drug and chemical evidence, and firearm and tool mark evidence examination. Through a focus on impartiality, objectivity, technical competence, adherence to standards and protocols and quality assurance, the laboratory is designed to strengthen protections for fundamental human rights, including the right to a fair trial.
Highlighting the importance of the laboratory, UNODC's Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, Masood Karimipour, noted: "The establishment of the laboratory is a significant development for the Palestinian judicial system and it will help increase respect for the rule of law, which in turn will increase the safety and security of the Palestinian people."
The Governor General of Canada, for his part, noted that this will contribute to "building a law-based, peaceful society that responds to the needs and aspirations of Palestinians by improving the management of forensic services in the West Bank." Major General Atallah, meanwhile, expressed the appreciation of the Palestinian Government for the support provided to improve the efficiency and capacity of the Palestinian police and judiciary.
The laboratory, fully equipped with the latest scientific instruments, is operated according to internationally accepted standards. Staff at the facility have received training delivered by UNODC and other international forensic experts.
UNODC in Middle East and North Africa
UNODC's forensic capacity building activities in the West Bank
