Ref: 55/2009

Date: 29 October 2009

PCHR Send Letter to Prime Minister in Gaza Government, Isma’il Haniya

Advocate Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) sent a letter of thanks to Prime Minister in Gaza, Isma’il Haniya, in appreciation of the government’s recognition of PCHR’s international efforts to serve Palestinian human rights issues, especially those related to the support for report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission headed by Justice Richard Goldstone in the Human Rights Council in Geneva. 

Raji Sourani, PCHR’s Board Members and Dr. Eyad al-Sarraj, Head of Gaza Community Mental Health Program, met on 25 October 2009, with the Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza and a number of ministers in the Council of Ministers in response to an invitation for PCHR to honor it for its persistent efforts over the months that followed the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, especially those related to the facilitation of the work of the UN Fact-Finding Mission, and subsequent efforts to ensure the endorsement of the Goldstone Report. 

The meeting discussed the issue of Palestinian reconciliation as a sole strategic alternative.  Sourani reiterated his full support for efforts made at this level, expressing his satisfaction following Haniya’s statement that reconciliation is a sole strategic goal. Mr. Sourani emphasized the urgent need for reconciliation and the necessity of signing the Egyptian reconciliation paper.

In his letter dated on 27 October 2009, Mr. Sourani noted that the government’s appreciation was appreciated by all PCHR’s staff members, and that the sincere, encouraging and supportive words said by the Prime Minister are a reflection of the government’s improving stance on human rights.

Prime Minister Haniya handed a thankful letter to Sourani, in which he expressed the Palestinian government’s high appreciation for PCHR’s efforts at the international level.