Ref: 35/2018

On Sunday, 21 October2018, the Palestinian Center for human Rights (PCHR) concluded a training course in the field of human rights with participation of 25 members and volunteers representing 14 community-based organizations (CBOs) and youth groups active in Deir al-Balah, in the light of PCHR’s efforts exerted on the long term to disseminate the culture of human rights and democracy in the Palestinian society.The 20-hour course was held in the office of Youth and Environment Association in Deir al-Balah from 14 to 21 October 2018.

The programs of the courses covered the following topics: introduction to human rights, International Bill of Human Rights (the International Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convent on Civil and Political Rights and the International Convent on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the two Additional Protocols and the Human Rights Committee), youth role in political particiaption, crimes related to freedom of opinion and expression in the Palestinian legislation,  Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the rule of law, independence of judiciary, in addition to the Gender and Mechanisms of Monitoring and Documenting Human Rights Violations.

A team of PCHR’s trainers supervised the training sessions. The team included: Abdul Halim Abu Samra, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit; Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR Economic and Social Rights Unit; Mona Shawa, Head of PCHR’s Women’s Unit; Mohammed ‘Atallah, a trainer at PCHR; Ahlam al-Aqra’ and Sharif Abu Nassar, lawyers at PCHR’s Legal Unit; Yaser Abed al-Gafour,a field researcher at PCHR; Majedah Shehadah, a Researcher at PCHR’s Women’s Unit; and Mohamed Abu Hashem, a legal researcher at PCHR.

At the end of the course, PCHR organized a closing ceremony. Abdul Halim Abu Samra, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, said that ” the course was characterized with the large number of participated organizations that PCHR cooperated with them for the first time, allowing PCHR to reach relatively new categories.” He added that this course was held in order to develop participants’ theoretical knowledge and provide professional skills that can contribute to a real change in the behavior of the society, which would lead to respect and protect human rights. He added that the relation between PCHR and the participants will not end at the end of the course, and should be strengthened afterwards. He also said that PCHR’s doors will always be open to participants in order to benefit from PCHR’s experience regarding the human rights.

Faten Harb, Director of Youth and Environment Association al, stressed PCHR’s distinctive role in defending the rights of the Palestinians and disseminating the culture of human rights among the youth. She added that, “It is very important to hold joint activities with PCHR for its experience and good reputation in the field of human rights.” Meanwhile, Maha al-Mosaddar, a participant in the course from al-Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society, also said that “the course was characterized with its rich topics and contributed to raising participants’ awareness of human rights and women’s rights; trainers’ efficiency and various and interactive training methods used in the course.”

At the end of the course, all participants received certificates.