UK call for Middle East legal reform

THE LAW Society and Bar Council have produced a report calling for changes in the Palestinian judiciary after uncovering a "catalogue of abuses" in the region.

The report, which was produced after an English delegation visited the region, highlights chronic underfunding in the court service and systematic human rights violations by both the Israeli government and the Palestinian National Authority.

The report calls for Israel to comply with its international human rights obligations following evidence of widespread torture and discrimination in land and housing matters.

Written by solicitor Geoffrey Bindman, barrister Bill Bowring and pro bono officer Yasmin Waljee, it calls for a Palestinian human rights network to be established in the UK and for the improvement of exchange links between judges and senior lawyers.