Ref: 35/2007

Date: 19 July  2007

PCHR Concludes Training Course for Young Media Specialist on International Human Rights Law and Humanitarian Law

On Thursday, 19 July 2007, PCHR has concluded a training course on international human rights law and humanitarian law designed for young media specialists, organized in cooperation with Community Media Center (CMC).

The 20-hour course was held at PCHR’s office in Gaza City from 15 to 19 July 2007. The course targeted 26 young media specialists working in several media institutions in the Gaza Strip.

Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR Training Unit, stated that this course is the first one to be organized by PCHR in cooperation with the CMC. The training program of this course was designed in consultation with the CMC to meet the needs of the participants. The course covered a variety of human rights topics, including the International Bill of Human Rights (Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Covenant on Economic, social, and cultural rights; and Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); Convention on the Rights of the Child; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; the rule of law; the independence of the judiciary; and freedom of expression.

The training was conducted by a number of specialized trainers who used various training techniques that promote effective participation and fruitful discussion: Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR; Bassam al-Aqra Director of Training Unit; Hamdi Shaqqura, Director of Democratic Development Unit; Muna al-Shawa, Director of Women’s Rights Unit; Hanan Matar, a lawyer from the Women’s Rights Unit; and Jaber Wishah, Deputy Director of PCHR.  Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer at al-Aqsa University in Gaza, also contributes to the training.

During the course, PCHR received 2 journalists who participated in a training course in Amman organized by PCHR in 2003 for Palestinian media specialists: ‘Aadel al-Za’noun, a reporter of France Press; and ‘Abdul Nasser Abu ‘Oun, correspondent of al-Ra’ei Television and a newscaster at the local al-Quds Radio. The two journalists talked about their experience in the media before and after receiving the course organized by PCHR in Amman, and the knowledge they gained through the course. They called for accrediting human rights organizations as credible sources of information for their neutrality, professionalism and objectivity.

In his concluding speech, Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, congratulated the participants for their diligence, emphasizing that knowledge about rights is the first step towards realizing them. He added that respect for human rights is necessary for the Palestinian society, especially in the current complicated situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He also emphasized the important role played by the media in promoting the culture of human rights, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. He also urged media specialists to get benefit from PCHR’s publication and library.

In her concluding speech, Ms Andaleeb Edwan, Board Member of the CMC, highly appreciated PCHR’s efforts to promote the culture of human rights and the rule of law among media specialists, especially young ones. She emphasized the importance of future cooperation with PCHR.  

Mahran ‘Eissa talked on behalf of the participants in the course. He thanked PCHR and the CMC for their efforts in organizing the course. He emphasized that he and his colleagues would convey the knowledge they gained from the course to other people using all available means.

In the end, Mr. Raji Sourani, Ms. Andaleeb Edwan, Mr. ‘Abdul Nasser Abu ‘Oun and Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’ handed certificates to the participants.