On Thursday, 11 October 2012, the Training Unit and Women’s Unit of the Palestinian
Center for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a training course for young lawyers in
the field of litigation before Shari’a courts.  The training course was aimed at enabling new
lawyers to litigate before Shari’a
courts in defense of women’s rights.  The
15-hour course was held in PCHR’s head office in Gaza City from the period 7-11
October 2012.  15 lawyers participated in
the course.

The training
course included the following: an introduction to Shari’a jurisdiction, Shari’a procedural law, the Personal Status Law, family law, inheritance law, legal instruments and documentation.  A book containing the laws was distributed to
all the participants in the course, as lawyers had previously pointed out that
such materials were lacking in local libraries.

A team of
specialized trainers supervised the training sessions.  The team included Mr Samir Hassaniya and Ms
Hanan Matter, both lawyers in the Women’s Unit, and Mr Sa’id Abu al-Jabeen, a
judge in the Sharia’ Supreme
Court.

Mr Bassam
al-Aqr’a, Director of the Training Unit, emphasized that PCHR’s interest is in increasing
efficiency and improving the capabilities and knowledge of lawyers who wish to
obtain a license to practice before the Sharia’ courts.  Mr al-Aqr’a explained that this course is part
of a 3-year project, funded by the European Union and Oxfam Novib, entitled ‘Improving
Awareness and Respect for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian Territory’.  At the conclusion of the training course, he
thanked the participants for
their active and fruitful participation.

The Director of the
Women’s Unit, Ms Mona Shawa, invited the participants to continue to visit PCHR
and benefit from the Centre’s experience and expertise.  She wished the participants the best of luck
in passing the bar exam, which will take place shortly, and obtaining the necessary
license to practice before the Sharia’ courts.

Mr Samir Hassaniya, a lawyer
in the Women’s Unit, outlined the goals of the training course, which was
designed to assist lawyers in preparing for the bar exam. He emphasized the lawyers’
important role in representing women from the Gaza Strip and helping them to
realize their rights.

Judge Sa’id Abu al-Jabeen acknowledged
the leading role of PCHR in increasing the efficiency and improving the
capabilities of lawyers working in the Shari’a
courts.  He emphasized PCHR’s significant
contribution in standing up for justice.

According to feedback
received from the participants, they valued PCHR’s efforts to enhance respect
for human rights in Palestinian society. 
Ghada al-Ghoul, one of the participants, praised the dedication of the
trainers and the use of diverse interactive training methods.  She added that active participation and
discussion during the training sessions had enriched the course.  All participants
received certificates at the conclusion of the course.

Last week’s
training course was the third of its kind completed by PCHR this year.  PCHR previously organized the second training
course, in which 23 lawyers participated, and the first such training course,
which took place earlier this year.