Ref: 10/2011

As
part of its efforts to enhance institutional and administrative development
aimed at promoting its professional work in the area of defending human rights,
the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has made a number of changes to
its management structures.

Recently,
PCHR expanded its General Assembly to include a number of well-known
Palestinian figures, respected for their commitment to human rights,
independence and integrity. The General Assembly now comprises: 1. Dr. Reyad
al-Zaanoun; 2. Ms. Nadia Abu Nahla; 3. Mr. Hashem al-Thalathini; 4. Lawyer Raji
Sourani; 5. Dr. Tareq Abdul Shafi; 6. Lawyer Eyad al-Alami; 7. Mr. Issa Saba;
8. Ms. Ibtesam Zaqqout; 9. Mr. Jaber Weshah; 10. Mr. Hamdi Shaqoura; and 11.
Ms. Mona al-Shawa.

At
the General Assembly’s first ordinary meeting, PCHR’s Director presented an
administrative report which covers the period between 01 January and 31
December 2009 and which was unanimously approved by the members of the General
Assembly. The Assembly also approved the financial report which was submitted
by Ernst & Young, PCHR’s auditor.

The
Assembly subsequently held an extraordinary meeting. During this meeting, the
members of the former Board of Directors who are 1. Lawyer Raji Souani
(Chairman); 2. Lawyer Eyad al-Alami (Deputy Chairman); 3. M. Jaber Weshah (member);
and 4. Mr. Hamdi Shaqoura (member), resigned and their resignation was approved
by the General Assembly. The Assembly then elected a new Board of Directors.
The members of the new Board of Directors are:

1. Dr. Reyad
al-Zaanoun, former Health Minister and prominent national figure;

2. Ms. Nadya Abu
Nahla, Director of Women’s Affairs Technical Committee and activist in the area
of defending women’s rights and human rights.

3. Mr. Hashem
al-Thalathini, member and a founder of the Palestinian Assembly for
Developmental Education; and

4. Lawyer Raji
Sourani, PCHR Director.

On
Monday morning, 14 March 2011, PCHR’s newly elected Board of Directors held a
meeting in which the members of the new Board elected Dr. Reyad al-Zaanoun as a
chairman of the new Board. Upon the request of the Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Mr. Raji Sourani, PCHR Director, presented a report on PCHR’s
structure, nature of work, duties entrusted to the different units and the
nature of duties undertaken by PCHR Program Committee which is formed of the

directors
of PCHR units. The powers of the General Assembly, the Board of Directors, the
General Director and the three Deputy Directors were also reviewed in this
meeting.

PCHR
congratulates the chairman and members of the new Board of Directors and trusts
that these steps will enhance PCHR’s activities, by drawing on well established
experience and connections with the ultimate aim of promoting PCHR’s role in
defending Palestinian human rights.