Ref: 42/2016  

On 23 November 2016, the Training Unit at the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded a training course in the field of human rights and international humanitarian law in Gaza City for Somow Youth Tam. The 20-hour course was held at PCHR’s Head office in Gaza from 20 to 23 November 2016 and attended by thirty members of the Youth Team, including 8 young women.

The program of the course included a number of international human rights instruments, including the International Bill of Human Rights (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 Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; Universal Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women; in addition to the Gender  and Mechanisms of Monitoring and Documenting Human Rights Violations.

A team of specialized trainers supervised the training sessions. The team included Mr. Bassam al-Aqra’, Director of the Training Unit; Mohammed ‘Atallah, a trainer at PCHR; Yasser ‘Abdel Ghafour, a Fieldworker at PCHR and Majedah Shehadah, a Researcher at PCHR’s Women’s Unit.

Jaber Wishah, Deputy Director of PCHR, stated that, “the course is part of long-term efforts exerted by PCHR to promote human rights in the Palestinian society in cooperation with active youth groups among university students in the Gaza Strip.” He added, “The relationship between PCHR and the participants in the course must not end at the end of the course, but it should start from here and deepen.” He stressed that, “PCHR’s doors will always be open to participants to benefit from PCHR’s experience.”

It should be mentioned that Somow Youth Team presented an emblem for PCHR in appreciation of its efforts in the field of defending Palestinians’ human rights and disseminating the culture of human rights among youth.  ‘Abdel Hadi Thaher, Director of Somow, emphasized, “We should continue to hold such joint activities with PCHR that is of great experience and good reputation in the field of human rights.”  He added that, “the course was characterized with its rich topics and contributed to raising participants’ awareness of human rights for a deeper understanding.”  He also praised the trainers’ efficiency and the various and interactive training methods they used which enriched the course.

At the end of the course, all participants received certificates.