Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding between her Department and the Palestinian Authority (PA), what discussions she has had with the PA on proposed legislation allowing the executive branch to dismiss judges.

We have not raised this specific issue with the Palestinian Authority (PA). We will monitor progress of this proposed legislation and if it contravenes the PA’s commitment to respect human rights and other international obligations then we will raise this with the PA. With DFID support, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is providing technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Interior to support the development of capable, accountable and responsive security and justice services.