PCHR Concludes Training Course in Human Rights and Democracy in Gaza

July 21, 2011

Ref: 47/2011

On Thursday, 21 July 2011, the Training Unit of the Palestinian
Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), in cooperation with the Palestinian Liberal
Youth Union (PLYU) in Gaza City, concluded a training course in human rights
and democracy. The 20-hour training course was held in PCHR’s head office
in Gaza City in the period 17 – 21 July 2011. There were 21 participants
from PLYU.

The course focused on a number of international human rights
instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and Universal
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. Also covered in
the course were the topics of the independence of judiciary, the rule of law
and democracy: concept and practice.

The training was conducted by a number of specialized trainers from
PCHR: Majda Shihada, a researcher in PCHR’s Women’s Rights Unit; Ahlam
al-Aqra’, a lawyer in PCHR’s Legal Aid Unit; Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of
PCHR’s Training Unit; and Fadel al-Mzainy, a researcher of PCHR’s Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights Unit, in addition to Salah Abu Hatab, a social
researcher.

At the conclusion of the course, Bassam al-Aqra’ Director of
Training Unit, explained that this course was part of a 3-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. Al-Aqra’ added that this course was part of
long-term efforts by PCHR to promote human rights in Palestinian society in
cooperation with community-based organizations. He further asked the participants to continue to benefit from the
services offered by PCHR; telling participants that all people are welcomed.

The participants highly appreciated PCHR’s efforts to disseminate
human rights culture in the Palestinian society. One of the participants, Muhannad ‘Abdul
Bari, said that the course contributed to raising the participants’ awareness
of the concepts of human rights. He added that the course was characterized by the variation of its
topics in spite of the intensity of the training material. He appreciated the efficiency of trainers and
the training methods, including effective participation and discussion,
contributed to enriching the course.