Ref: 54/2013

On Tuesday morning, 03 September 2013, the Training Unit of the
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Gaza organized a seminar entitled
“Grassroots Organizations and Documentation of Human Rights Violations: Role
and Importance.”  The seminar was held in
PCHR’s office in Khan Yunis, and it was attended by 34 participants
representing 15 grassroots organizations in Khan Yunis, in addition to a number
of political activists and independent figures.

Mr. Jaber Wishah, Director of PCHR’s Branch Offices, and Mr. Saber
al-Nairab, OHCHR Human Rights Officer, opened the seminar.  Mr. Wishah welcomed the participants and
stated that this activity came in the context of constructive partnership
between PCHR and OHCHR to promote the human rights situation in Palestine.  He pointed out that the seminar sought to
highlight mechanisms of monitoring and documenting human rights violations and
the role of grassroots organizations.  He
wished maximum benefit from the seminar for the participants.

Mr. al-Nairab considered it a valuable opportunity that PCHR
allowed OHCHR’s staff to meet with grassroots organizations in Khan Yunis to
discuss human rights monitoring and answer a set of question that are raised
concerning human rights monitoring and documentation. 

Mr. Bassam al-Aqra, Director of PCHR Training Unit, pointed out
that the seminar was divided into three sessions: Introduction to Human Rights
Monitoring;” Skills of Human Rights Monitoring and Documentation;” and
“Overview of Applications of Human Rights Monitoring.” The seminar, as Mr.
al-Aqra said, would be concluded with general discussion and
recommendations. 

The first session was facilitated by Ms. Pia Francis, OHCHR Human
Rights Officer.  The session was focused
on human rights monitoring and documentation, their objectives, their steps
challenges facing them, in addition to the role grassroots organizations and
other active organizations in this context. 

The second session was facilitated by Ms. Ibtissam Zaqqout,
Director of PCHR Field Work Unit.  It was
focused on sources of information of a human rights observer, and the skills
he/she must have.  It also addressed the
mechanisms of human rights monitoring, especially interviews and methods of
asking questions.  Ms. Zaqqout provided
examples of human rights monitoring and documentation. 

The third session, which was facilitated by Mr. al-Nairab and Mr.
al-Aqra addressed practical applications of human rights monitoring and
documentation. 

At the end of the seminar, discussion was opened, and participants
presented a number of interventions and questions.  The participants emphasized that they gained
theoretical and practical information and knowledge about human rights
monitoring and documentation and the role of grassroots organizations in this
regard.  The participants further
presented the following recommendations:

· Raising
awareness of human rights monitoring and documentation through more similar
seminars and training courses to qualify human rights observers.

· Establishing
a network of grassroots organizations in Khan Yunis to support human rights
organizations in the field of human rights monitoring and documentation.