PCHR and the Palestine Bar Association Conclude 1^st Training Course for Young Lawyers

On Thursday, 30 October, 2008, the Training Unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded, a training course on human rights and the administration of justice that was organized in cooperation with the Palestinian Bar in the Gaza Strip, targeting young lawyers under training.

Held in the headquarter of the Palestinian Bar Association in Gaza City between 26 and 30 October 2008 with a total of 20 training hours, the course targeted 20 young female and male lawyers under training.

Mr. Bassam al-Aqra', Director of PCHR Training Unit, explained that this course was the first of 3 courses that PCHR agreed upon with the Palestinian Bar to be held this  year for young lawyers under training from the various areas in the Gaza strip. 

The training addressed various international human rights instruments, including: the International Bill of Human Rights with its 3 components (the universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty; United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors; independence of the judiciary, the role of lawyers in the protection and enforcement of human rights; universal jurisdictional and prosecution of war criminals.

A team of specialized trainers from PCHR and other organizations conducted the training. The members of the training team were: Dr. Tariq Abdol Shafi; Mr. Bassam al-Aqra', Director of PCHR Training Unit; Dr. Bassam Abu Hashish, a lecturer at al-Aqsa University; Mr. Salama Bsaisu, Deputy Chairman of Palestinian Bar Association; Mr. Zain al-Din Bsaisu, Chief Prosecutor, and Judge Abdul Qader Jarada.