Ref: 92/2012

On Tuesday, 06 November 2012, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
received in its head office in Gaza a delegation
from Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) headed by
Mr. Alberto Virella, Director of Africa, Asia, and Western
Europe for AECID.

The delegation met with Mr. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, and Mr.
Hamdi Shaqqura, Deputy PCHR Director for Program Affairs.  Mr. Sourani welcomed the delegation
emphasizing the strong relation between PCHR and Spanish government and
people. 

The meeting addressed the human rights situation in the occupied
Palestinian territory (oPt), especially in Gaza Strip.  Mr. Sourani highlighted the violations of
international law and human rights law perpetrated by Israel against
Palestinian civilian population, especially the total closure imposed on the
Gaza Strip which has had disastrous impacts on all aspects of life, as well as
attacks against civilians including children and women.

Mr. Sourani also addressed the human rights situation at the internal
level under the political split in the Palestinian Authority, which has been
ongoing since June 2007.  He expressed
concern for the repercussions of the Palestinian split on the judiciary and
legislature, and the overall human rights situation, including infliction of
torture, violations of the freedom of opinion and expression, and violations of
public liberties.

Concurring with Mr. Sourani, Mr. Virella stressed upon the deep
historical relation between his agency and the Palestinian people, indicating
that although at the moment Spain is facing an economic crisis, which has
forced AECID to decrease its partners, Palestine will continue to be a partner
with which it will continued to cooperate. 

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Sourani presented PCHR’s honor plaque to
Mr. Virella.