June 21, 2009
PCHR Concludes Second Training Course Targeting Activists in CBOs in Northern Gaza
PCHR Concludes Second Training Course Targeting Activists in CBOs in Northern Gaza

 

Ref: 19/2009

Date: 21 June 2009

 

PCHR Concludes Second Training Course Targeting Activists in CBOs in Northern Gaza

 

On Thursday, 18 June 2009, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights’ (PCHR) Training Unit concluded its second training course on human rights and gender, which is a part of a series of training courses targeting activists in community-based organizations (CBOs) across the Gaza Strip.  Twenty one female and male activists from 16 CBOs in northern Gaza participated in the 20-training-hour course that took place in PCHR’s office in Jabalya between 14 and 18 June 2009. 

 

The training program covered a number of international human rights instruments including: the International Bill of Human Rights with its three components (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 Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of death penalty; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women.  The importance of gender equality, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary were also addressed.

 

A team of specialized trainers from PCHR provided the training to the beneficiaries.  The training team included:

 

1.      Bassam al-Aqraa’, Director of PCHR Training Unit;

2.      Muna al-Shawa, Director of PCHR Women’s Rights Unit;

3.      Khalil Shahin, Director of PCHR Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Unit;

4.      Samir Hassaniya, lawyer in PCHR Women’s Rights Unit;

5.      Ibrahim al-Surani, lawyer in PCHR Legal Aid Unit; and

6.      Salah Abu Hatab, social activist. 

 

Bassam al-‘Aqra’a, director of PCHR’s Training Unit, concluded the course by explaining that the training aimed at imparting theoretical and practical knowledge in the area of human rights.  He asked the trainees to communicate what they learned with their colleagues in CBOs.  He said that PCHR is open for cooperation with CBOs in order to disseminate human rights and democracy amongst different social segments.  

 

Participants appreciated PCHR’s efforts to serve the youth and to disseminate knowledge in the area of human rights.  They called upon PCHR to hold further training courses in northern Gaza, saying that these courses are of major importance in raising awareness of human rights amongst community members.  Participants noted that trainers used different distinctive methods that encouraged participants to actively engage in fruitful discussions. 

 

Finally, Muna al-Shawa, Director of PCHR Women’s Rights Unit, and Bassam al-Aqraa’, Director of PCHR’s Training Unit, handed certificates to trainees.