Ref: 43/2011

On Thursday, 30
June 2011, the Training Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR),
in cooperation with the Palestinian Liberal Youth Union (PLYU) in Deir al-Balah,
concluded a training course in human rights and democracy. The 20-hour training course was held in al-Maghazi
Cultural Center’s hall in the period 26-30 June 2011. There were 28 participants from PLYU.  It should be noted that this course is the third
of five training courses that PCHR’s Training Unit agreed to conduct this year
in cooperation with PLYU in the five governorates of the Gaza Strip.

The course
focused on a number of international human rights instruments, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
and Universal Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. Also covered in the course were the topics of
the independence of judiciary, the rule of law and democracy: concept and
practice.

The training
was conducted by a number of specialized trainers from PCHR: Majda Shihada, a
researcher in PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit; Sharif Abu Nassar, a lawyer in PCHR’s
Legal Aid Unit; Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit; Khalil
Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit and Salah
Abu Hatab, a social researcher.

At
the conclusion of the course, Jaber Weshah, Deputy Director of PCHR, stressed
the importance of human rights and the role of youth in disseminating the
culture of human rights and democracy. He asked the participants to apply what they had learned in the course
in the community institutions they work for. Abdul Halim Abu Samrah, PCHR’s Public Relations Officer, explained that this
course was part of long-term efforts by PCHR to promote human rights in
Palestinian society in cooperation with community-based organizations.  Abu Samrah added that this course was part of
a 3-year project, funded by the European Union and Oxfam Novib, whose goal is
to improve awareness and respect of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory. Abu Samrah asked the
participants to continue to benefit from the services offered by PCHR; telling
participants that all people are welcomed. He hoped that the course would
constitute the beginning of a fruitful relationship between PCHR and civil
society organizations and people.

The
participants highly appreciated PCHR’s efforts to disseminate human rights
culture in the Palestinian society. Rami
Abu S’oud, Head of PLYU, thanked PCHR for its role played to protect and
promote human rights in the Palestinian society. He hoped that the relationship and joint cooperation
between PCHR and PLYU would continue. One
of the participants, Hamada al-Talla’, said that the course contributed to
raising the participants’ awareness of the concepts of human rights. Another participant, Isra’ Abu Taher,
appreciated the efficiency of trainers and the training methods, which contributed
to raising the participants’ awareness of human rights and democracy.