LAW-TRAIN in Horizon 2020

4.10.2016

Question for written answer E-007535-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Bart Staes (Verts/ALE)

Did the evaluation of the LAW-TRAIN project consider the fact that the Israeli Ministry of Public Security and the Israeli National Police are directly involved in grave violations of human rights, including torture, ill treatment and inhumane and degrading treatment?

Considering that part of the project activities are Skype calls organised by Bar Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel, one of the project participants, and that the headquarters of the Israeli National Police are part of the Israeli illegal settlement policy in East Jerusalem, has any consideration been given to the fact that, with this part of the project, activities may be carried out in occupied East Jerusalem? If so, what conclusions have been drawn?

In the context of the negotiations on Interpol-Israel cooperation, a number of issues have been raised, including the prohibition to use information sourced in violation of international law and human rights (e.g. EU Council Decision 2009/934/JHA of 30 November 2009). This pertains to issues of Israeli illegal interrogation methods and information sourced from the occupied Palestinian territories. Has this been taken into consideration? Is there any mechanism to ensure that no knowledge (whether information or ‘experience’) used in the project is sourced in violation of international law and human rights?