Press Release

Launching of the Sawasya III joint programme in the state of Palestine

01 May 2024

In light of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and despite the instability and formidable challenges of the current situation in the world and Palestine specifically, and in a continued commitment to advancing the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice, the decision to launch Sawasya III reaffirms our unwavering dedication to further promoting the rule of law and ensuring equitable access to justice, for all Palestinians, without discrimination.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP PAPP), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and UNICEF, in partnership with the Palestinian Government, have officially launched Phase III of the Sawasya Joint Programme during its annual Programme Steering Committee Meeting today in Ramallah.

The Steering Committee Meeting of the Sawasya III Joint Programme was held jointly under the Co-Chair Chief Justice H.E. Judge Mohammad Al-Oweiwi Co- and Co-Chair of the UNDP/UN Women/UNICEF Joint Programme’s Steering Committee, UN Resident Coordinator Mr. Muhannad Hadi.

The steering committee meeting was attended by the Minister of Justice Mr Sharhabeel Zayeem, Supreme Judge H.E Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Minister of Social Development Ms Samah Hamad (PhD), and the Attorney General H.E Akram Al-Khatib as well as the Sawasya Programme respected donors namely the Government of the Netherlands, the Spanish Cooperation for Development, the European Union, the Government of Canada, as well as Sweden as an observer. In addition to implementing representatives from UNDP, UN Women and UNICEF.

Phase III of the Sawasya Joint Programme, a five-year programme is designed to reinforce equal access to justice for all Palestinians, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups. The programme is supported by the Government of the Netherlands and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, the European Union, and the Government of Canada, while Sweden remains an observer of the programme for the time being.

Building upon the successes of previous phases, Sawasya III seeks to establish a progressively inclusive Palestinian rule of law system, accelerating access to justice within a protective, inclusive, and responsive framework.

In 2023, the Palestinian national partners including civil society organizations led significant advancements in justice and human rights in Palestine through Sawasya II. Emphasizing community-based legal aid, the programme witnessed a notable transformation in delivering legal awareness services. This was embodied by 15 local lawyers joining MENA’s first legal incubator in Gaza, where they successfully handled 70 pro-bono cases. Moreover, Sawasya II played a pivotal role in providing crucial legal consultation and representation to more than 11,611 Palestinians, with a notable 75 per cent women and 6 per cent children. Furthermore, enhancements to the Mizan 2 electronic case management system were implemented, significantly improving access to electronic court services.

The Sawasya III Joint Programme Annual Work Plan for the year 2024 was endorsed and approved during the launching ceremony by members of the steering committee.