Ref:
61/2010

On Thursday, 24 June 2010, the
Training Unit in the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a
training course in the field of human rights in the northern Gaza Strip. The twenty-hour course was held in PCHR’s
regional office in Jabalya refugee camp from 20-24 June 2010. Twenty-nine participants received the
training, representing thirteen community-based organizations in the northern
Gaza Strip.

The course focused on a number of
international human rights instruments, including the International Bill of
Human Rights (which includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights); Convention on the Rights
of the Child; Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women; and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. Also
covered in the training was the rule of law, the independence of judiciary and
political participation.

The training was conducted by a
number of specialized trainers from PCHR: Hanan Matar, lawyer in PCHR’s Women’s
Unit; Majda Shihada, researcher in PCHR’s Women’s Unit; Ahlam al-Aqra’, lawyer
in PCHR’s Legal Aid Unit; Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit;
Khalil Shaheen, Director of PCHR’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit;
and Mona al-Shawwa, Director of PCHR’s Women’s Unit.

In the conclusion of the course,
Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, explained that this course
is part of long-term efforts made by PCHR to promote human rights in
Palestinian society in cooperation with civil society organizations. Mr. Al-Aqra’ added that this course is a part
of a three-year project funded by the European Union and Oxfam Novib, whose
goal is to improve awareness and respect of human rights in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory. He added that
PCHR is ready to offer its services to all, hoping that this course was a
fruitful start to a good relationship between PCHR and civil society
organizations and the public.

Tahani al-Jamal, Director of
Palestine’s Call Society, said that the course contributed to raising
participants’ awareness of human rights and was distinguished in the issues it
focused on. She further appreciated the
efficiency of trainers and the training methods, which contributed to enriching
effective participation and fruitful discussion.