News
Palestinian High Judicial Council’s Technical Office exchange on expertise in Jordan
Strengthening capacity and share expertise was at the core of an exchange visit for the Palestinian High Judicial Council (HJC) Technical Office and the Jordanian Judicial Council. The exchange, organised by EUPOL COPPS took place on 4-6 May in Amman, Jordan. Participants discussed key topics including methods for analysing judicial precedents, preparation of specialised legal studies, database automation, and development of annual work plans. The delegation also engaged directly with different departments of the Jordanian Technical Office, gaining insight into legal research, case classification, linguistic review, and administrative processes. The Palestinian delegation met with the Director of the Technical Office, who provided an overview of its mandate and operations, and visited the Court of Appeal’s Technical Office to learn about its working procedures. Discussions with judges and staff highlighted best practices, including the use of standardized procedural manuals to enhance consistency and institutionalization.
Addressing needs of vulnerable groups - EUPOL COPPS organises workshop in Ramallah
To raise awareness about victimisation, unfair treatment that makes someone a victim, EUPOL COPPS organises a workshop for Palestinian Civil Police (PCP) officers on 6–7 May in Ramallah. The sessions focus on vulnerable groups, including children, youth, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. The training, which focuses on different forms of violence, is designed for 18 newly recruited PCP’s Family Protection and Juvenile Department (FJPD), alongside other police officers. Participants discuss several topics including domestic abuse, violence against children and youth, and victimisation of elderly people and persons with disabilities. As expected outcome of the workshop, the attendees can enhance their skills in identifying causes of violence. This includes online victimisation, recognising different types of abuse, as well as risk environments, including the home, the school, the community, and online spaces. In addition, practical skills in detecting signs of victimisation through active listening, and interpreting body language and behaviour, is addressed to enhance the ability to respond to needs and work on prevention.
Workshop in Amman builds communication and leadership skills for Palestinian Justice officials
Enhancing the administrative and leadership capacities of staff in the Palestinian justice sector is an ongoing activity. It strengthens institutional efficiency, improves judicial independence, and builds public trust in the rule of law. To maintain such training approach, EUPOL COPPS organises a three-day workshop for three key institutions of the Palestinian justice sector, namely the High Judicial Council (HJC), the Constitutional Court, and the Palestinian Judicial Institute (PJI) that commenced on 4 May in Amman, Jordan, and runs for three days. This training programme, which was held at the Institute of Public Administration, is designed to strengthen participants’ competencies in supervisory practices, leadership, and workplace management. It combines theoretical input with practical application, with a focus on enhancing communication, performance management, conflict resolution, and leadership for change. During the first two days of the event, the participants have gained insight on improving communication and coordination among judicial personnel, increasing application of structured supervisory and performance management tools, enhancing ability to manage and resolve workplace conflicts, strengthening leadership practices supporting institutional development and adopting coaching approaches within supervisory roles.
EU Talks: Palestinian Women Shaping Justice and Peace
To mark International Women's Day 2026 and on the occasion of Europe Day, the EU Representative Office, in partnership with EUPOL COPPS, hosted a high-level EU Talks Networking Event on 04 May, in Ramallah. The initiative reflects the European Union's enduring commitment to equality, rule of law, and inclusive governance. The events included a TEDx-Style part with the participation of inspirational women from Palestinian justice and security sector institutions who have transformed opportunities into tangible impact, within the framework of the Peace and Security Agenda. The Palestinian Minister for Women Affairs, Muna Al-Khalili and the Palestinian Minister of Justice Sharhabeel Yousef Al Zaeem, participated in the talks. “Ensuring access to justice for all women and girls is not symbolic – it’s a duty, and it defines the work of EUPOL COPPS” said EUPOL COPPS’ Head of Mission (HoM), who participated in a discussion panel on Introducing “Rights. Justice. Action”, with the Head of the Office of the EU Representative (West Bank and Gaza – EUREP), Alexandre Stutzmann, and Dr. Dalal Irikat. Other panels focused on “Rights; Women and Security”, “Justice; From Law to Practice and “Action” Women as Peace actors”. On the occasion, EUPOL COPPS’ HoM underlined the importance of “action”, mentioning concrete EUPOL COPPS’ led initiatives/engagements such as the Female Prosecutors' Network, the Female Lawyers' Network, and the continuous support to the Policewomen's Network. EUPOL COPPS has contributed to strengthening women's leadership across the Palestinian justice chain, alongside reinforced responses to gender-based violence and public outreach on prevention and protection, thereby promoting the notion of women as drivers of change. Discussions such as EU Talks: Palestinian Women Shaping Justice and Peace reflect a clear reality: advancing women's rights requires institutional reform, professional capacity, and strong partnerships with civil society. Yet gaps remain. Structural barriers, and uneven accountability continue to limit progress. EUPOL COPPS’ and the EU’s commitment aims at supporting Palestinian institutions that ensure equal protection, meaningful participation, and justice that works for every woman and girl. Because when justice works for women, it works for everyone. A digital awareness campaign under the UN Women theme: ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls was part of this initiative.
One of Us
Roberto Arcieri – Head of Operations
In his early teens EUPOL COPPS Head of Operations, Roberto Arcieri, already envisaged he would wear a uniform as a grown-up. Being born in 1973 and raised in the ancient Grumo Appula, founded in Roman times and part of the Alta Murgia National Park in Southeastern Italy, Roberto grew up observing at close range the difference between good and bad, which translates into the State and its enemies. The organised crimes generally known as the mafia, was at the time active primarily in the South of the Italian peninsula, yet, moving its tentacles within transnational business and corruption. Exemplary Italian institutional figures like anti-mafia judges Rocco Chinnici, Giovanni Falcone, Paolo Borsellino, and Carabinieri officers like General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa, Lt. Col. Russo, Cap. Basile paid with their lives their long-lasting fight on organised crime. They all died in the line of duty to defend the principles of legality, justice, freedom, equality, and dignity, by opposing the criminal power that threatens democracy. The ultimate sacrifice of some fellow Italians has been the game changer for Roberto, who picked the right side of the law joining the Italian Carabinieri (one of Italy’s primary law enforcement agencies, distinguished by their military status and broad range of responsibilities both domestically and internationally) at the age of 19. Being a Carabiniere has meant Roberto to be constantly on the move, either in his country, or abroad. “I was never in the same place for more than four years” says Roberto, who nevertheless managed to raise two children, now young adults, together with his wife. Roberto, who has the rank of Colonel, joined EUPOL COPPS last year, but he was not new to Palestine, as he was already here working for Carabinieri MIADIT (Missione Addestrativa Italiana) Mission in the framework on the US State Security Coordination (now Office of the Security Coordinator - OSC) coalition. Prior to that he has worked in various capacities, in different Italian regions fighting common and organized crimes, in international engagements in Bosnia Herzegovina, Eritrea, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Mali and also in Brussels, Belgium, focusing on African issues. As a EUPOL COPPS Head of Operations, leading colleagues working to support Palestinian justice and civilian security sectors, Roberto feels the experience changes him every day. The keyword in the Palestinian context is “flexibility” says Roberto, who strives to find solutions to the continuous challenges faced by the Palestinian counterparts the Mission is mandated to support, and for EUPOL COPPS itself. An approach certainly appropriate given the uncertainty facing Palestine and the wider region at this very moment.
Khadija Aldeek
When EUPOL COPPS Financial Verification Officer, Khadija Aldeek from Palestine, sits down at her desk, she does not just see numbers on spreadsheets or invoices; she sees the foundation of trust that holds the entire mission together. At EUPOL COPPS, the Birzeit University accounting graduate reviews transactions to ensure they are in line with EU rules, related internal policy and international best practices. Having worked with international organisations and with major Palestinian companies, she brings international know-how together with local knowledge to her job. For Khadija financial verification is not a box-ticking exercise, but a necessary step towards accountability and transparency. She sees it not just as a rule to be followed, but as a safeguard—a way of making sure every euro is spent as it ought, of building trust, and of keeping the Mission's financial systems secure. In the seven months she's been working at EUPOL COPPS, she has made a real impact. Her influence extends beyond paperwork. She is a valued mentor to colleagues across departments, helping to clarify on procedures and best practices. "I don't merely point out mistakes, I also show how to prevent them," she says. "My goal is to enable others to do better when following EU financial rules." Her no-nonsense, calm approach has also made her a source of contact for employees who are struggling with money matters. She's made many see this work differently, transforming it from a chore into a chance for development and learning. "Done correctly, financial verification protects the entire organisation. It's not just about finding mistakes—it's a matter of trust-establishment, system-strengthening, and knowing that every decision is being made on the foundation of accurate, verified information," she says. With her integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm, Khadija Aldeek isn't just implementing financial regulations—sews a culture of accountability and trust, one transaction at a time, says Khadija, a dedicated mother of three, balancing family and career with discipline and focus.
Maria Ek Odsjo
Our deputy Head of Justice Unit, Maria Ek Odsjo, is a senior judge in her mid-50s. In Sweden, where she comes from, she has for the last years extensively been working on asylum and security related cases, including dealing with individuals arriving from then ISIS ruled Syria and Iraq. The cases she was presented with, reached Maria through the criminal justice chain, having been dealt with by the Swedish police before arriving on her desk.. Her latest role in the Swedish justice system was to lead and manage the work of around 45 legal professionals. Each of them had cases to solve. Maria had the overall oversight and also, depending on the situation, the responsibility to approve asylum, . This has exposed Maria with a wide range of people coming from parts of the world she had never travelled to. In other words, she had the opportunity to get to know different cultures through human and professional interaction doing her job in Stockholm. Asked when and how the decision to be a judge appeared on her life horizon, Maria answers that this happened during her time as a young law clerk in a small town in her homeland. Having always been interested in society and political science, Maria initially chose law for her university studies with the initial attitude of “giving it a try”. She explains that she “very much liked both criminal and civilian proceedings, as well as social law”. Much later, as an experienced professional, Maria represented Sweden in Brussels, working at the Swedish Permanent EU Representation with law drafting. The choice to join EUPOL COPPS and come to Palestine is partly linked to her experience in dealing with many cases involving people from the Middle East.. “I wanted to experience the culture firsthand, meet the people, to see for myself what it looks like, to experience what it means to walk through Damascus Gate in the daylight and at night. Now that I can do it, I know what an amazing feeling it is to pass by this special place. This means something special to me and has taught me something essential about different life conditions. When Maria first joined the Mission, she was a Senior Justice Advisor advising her Palestinian colleagues on court proceeding related matters. She had the possibility to learn from her Palestinian colleagues and share her own experiences from her own professional career. Working in an international environment such as an EU Mission is also somehow life changing, indicates Maria. “In my current role, I strive to support my colleagues in solving challenges and problems, when these occur. With the counterparts I now see my role as a way of giving my contribution to advancing Rule of Law in Palestine”. Among the milestones carrying a personal touch during her career as a judge, Maria recalls the time she had a case of a Palestinian family coming from Iraq exposed to a very difficult situation where she contributed to them being granted asylum on the basis of the need for education of their young children aged 10 and 12. As every new experience in life produces a change in each of us, working in Palestine has made Maria, as she explains, a bit humbler as an individual, more understanding of difficult situations, having had the chance to see these firsthand. The realisation of having an EU-passport appearing “privileged” compared to others, for example Palestinians (many can’t even have one), is also a humbling experience, says Maria, who has observed what happens at border crossing points like the Allenby Bridge (border between Israel and Jordan, editor’s note), seeing the difference of procedures occurring according to the kind of documentation provided. “I now understand a lot more things about the people from the Middle East I met in my country” says Maria. When thinking about the time when she will be returning to Sweden, Maria believes her experience in Palestine will make her a better judge. Although, she said, I think I would prefer to have further experiences in CSDP Missions after Palestine before returning to be a judge in my country. She has pinned Ukraine on the map, where a sister EU Civilian CSDP is deployed, however that will have to wait as there still so much to do here to support Palestine.
“I want to be one of them”, said 4-year-old Anu pointing at a police car
Looking out of the window at her grandparents’ house in the town of Pori, Finland, Anu Aro, asked her grandma what that was pointing the finger at a police car. “I want to be one of them”, said the then 4 years old Anu. It was the winter of 1974. By the age of 23, after having spent a sabbatical in Cyprus (1989-1990) working as au pair, Anu joined the Finnish Police, getting first a Diploma in Police Studies, then a Bachelor in Police Command Examination, and a master’s degree in Social science studies from Universities in Finland. Whilst working and studying, Anu had 3 daughters, now age 30, 28 and 22. At present, while deployed as a Finnish secondee at EUPOL COPPS as Senior Police Advisor in Training, Anu is about to finish another master’s degree in security and risk management criminology at the University of Leicester, in the UK. EUPOL COPPS is not the first international mission for Anu, as she consecutively worked in international missions as of 2104. She served in Afghanistan (EU and GIZ/German cooperation), Liberia (United Nations) and Somalia (EUCAP Somalia). Asked “why” EUPOL COPPS at this stage of her personal and professional path, Anu recalls that this very Mission was the first she ever applied for in 2012. “I was the second-best candidate” says Anu, explaining that she opted for Afghanistan, to later discovered later that the selected competitor for Palestine did not go in the end. Therefore, when recently a possibility materialised to join EUPOL COPPS it felt for Anu like closing a circle, so she applied for the position she now covers, explains Anu. Another reason for joining EUPOL COPPS, continues Anu, is the fact that she is “a person constantly working on self-development and self-education, passionate about history”, always eager to see with her own eyes about the situation on the ground in Palestine, which she read about for long time. When discussing about the challenges that a woman, a mother, can face about the choice of joining a Mission, Anu says: ‘When I went to my first Mission my youngest daughter was 12. It was possible for me to go to know everything was fine at home, as I had a good agreement with her father. Anu reveals that at time she felt criticized by some of her male colleagues in the Finnish police for her choice to go leave her children to go to Missions . “The advice I would give to women willing to be deployed in Missions is to ignore other people’s opinion. Of course you change your life, so you might lose some friends because there is less time to spend together”. Anu underlines the importance of the quality of time she had and has with her daughters when serving in Missions, like going on holiday together. She also recalls hard moments as several times she fond herself under attack in Afghanistan, having to spend up to 16 hours in a bunker, with all the consequential difficulties in communication with her family. “I always called my daughters from the bunker where I sheltered with my colleagues to reassure them. I have always tried to inform them about everything because things go so fast to the news nowadays and I want them to get the first information from me instead of reading it from the internet”. Talking about her daily work at EUPOL COPPS Anu explains that she finds out about what kind of trainings are needed by the Palestinian Civil Police, focusing also on Gender mainstreaming. She tries and find out for example why women do not attend certain training activities and what should be done about it. “Nowadays Palestinians are willing to send their daughters to train as police officers, also as a source of income for the family, but at the same time there are worried about their safety”. Anu recognises that her long-term experience in many crisis areas makes her “a very different person than before”. “I see the difference between me and people that have had similar life and professional experiences and the ones back home that have not” says Anu. “For example, at home people debate about politically correct wording of things, or topics that looked at from other parts of the world frankly look irrelevant”. The woman who aged 4 knew she would wear a police uniform, concludes: “my observation is that in wealthy countries people easily see small things as a problem, unlike in places where people have worries about bringing food on the table and have to walk long hours for water or to reach the workplace”.]
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