Ref: 21/ 2014

On Monday, 04 May 2014, the
Training Unit of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a
training course in human rights in cooperation with Tawasol Association for
Youth and Culture in Rafah.  The 20-hour
training course was held in PCHR’s head office in Gaza City in the period of 11
– 15 May 2014.  31 students attended the
course.

The program of the course
included a number of international human rights instruments, including the
International Bill of Human Rights (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 Convention on Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women; Universal Declaration on the Elimination
of Violence against Women; in addition to the independence of the judiciary and
the rule of law.

A team of specialized
trainers supervised the training sessions. 
The team included Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit;
Khalil Shahin, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Unit; Sharif
Abu Nassar, a lawyer at PCHR’s Legal Aid Unit; and Majidah Shehadah, a
researcher at the Women’s Rights Unit.

In the concluding speech, Basam
al-Aqra’ emphasized that this course is part of PCHR’s long-term efforts to
promote human rights in the Palestinian society.  Al-Aqra’ added that the relation with Tawasol
Association is longstanding as PCHR pays special attention to communicate with
it to serve graduates and raise their awareness and knowledge and develop their
skills in the field of human rights through organizing training courses for
them.  Al-Aqra’ called upon trainees to transfer
what they learned in the course to others and benefit from the services that
PCHR provides and emphasized that PCHR’s doors are open to everyone.

At the conclusion of the
course, the participants highly appreciated PCHR’s efforts to enhance respect
for human rights in Palestinian society and thanked it for its quick response
to the students’ request to organize this training course.  A member of Tawasol’s Board of Directors and
a participant in the course said that this course contributed to raising the
participants’ awareness of the principles of human rights constituting a
prelude to claim their rights.  Randa
Zo’rob, another participant, stated that the course was characterized by its
diverse topics and rich information, and praised the dedication of the trainers
and the use of diverse interactive training methods.  She added that active participation and
discussion during the training sessions had enriched the course.